My name is Austin, and my family and I are Altadena standing home survivors. Since the Eaton Fire, I’ve been creating murals around town to help beautify our community and bring a little hope back into the places we all love. Every day, I ask myself how I can help us move forward together. For more than 20 years, I worked as a TV and film editor, helping bring shows like The Masked Singer, LEGO Masters, MasterChef, Dancing With The Stars, and Real Housewives of SLC to life. But over the last three years, because of labor strikes, outsourcing, AI, tax credits, and other industry changes, that work has slowed to the point that I’ve exhausted all of my resources.

After the fire, this community showed up for me and for my art. People asked me to paint murals, bought Altadena-themed prints and shirts, and hired me for small jobs. That support meant more than I can say. I always try to keep my prices fair because I know so many people here are hurting financially, and I truly believe art can help us process trauma and heal. I have plans for more public murals and collaborations with other local artists, but I’m at a crossroads: either I step away to find full-time work, or I take this artistic path to the next level.

I’m asking for your help so I can keep creating art for Altadena and continue supporting this community through murals and other projects. Your support will help me keep going, keep collaborating, and keep making art that reflects our resilience. It’s not easy for me to ask, but so many friends and neighbors have told me this work matters. If you believe in what I’m doing, I would be deeply grateful for your support, encouragement, and help in shaping my future as an artist.