For nearly five decades, Keni Arts has documented the soul of communities through his vibrant plein air paintings. From the streets of America to the landscapes of Africa, Brazil, and beyond, his brush has captured people and places. Yet, nowhere has he felt more at home than in the ‘Denas’—Altadena and Pasadena—where this artistic journey has been deeply rooted since 1977.

But on January 7, 2025, the Eaton Fire changed everything. Over 9,000 houses and businesses were lost, including his home and cherished sites Keni had once immortalized on ‘canvas’. Now, in a powerful act of resilience and artistry, he returns to these sites to create Beauty For Ashes—a series that reimagines Altadena in its moment of transition, documenting destruction, renewal, and hope.