At a Glance
- Hugh Saetia, 16, has painted more than 50 portraits for grieving families at no cost
- The California teen founded The Eternal Canvas Foundation to turn compassion into action
- Each portrait serves as tangible proof that the deceased lived and mattered
- Why it matters: One teenager transformed personal loss into a nationwide act of remembrance, offering comfort to families when words fail
A 16-year-old from Hermosa Beach, California, is turning paint and canvas into healing for families across the country. Hugh Saetia has spent the past two years creating personalized portraits for those who have lost loved ones, delivering each one free of charge through his nonprofit organization.
From Personal Loss to Purpose
Saetia’s mission began with his own experience of grief. At just 6 years old, he lost his mother to gastrointestinal cancer. The tragedy left an imprint that would later shape his life’s work.
After his mother’s death, Marilyn Mcallister became his nanny and a mother figure in his life. Years later, when Mcallister lost her son, Saetia witnessed her pain firsthand but felt powerless to help.
“As a 14-year-old with no money or no counseling degree, no words that could fix what she felt, I thought to myself, ‘What could I do?'” Saetia told ABC 7.
His father offered a simple suggestion that would change everything: “Why don’t you paint him?”
The Power of a Portrait
When Saetia presented the portrait to Mcallister, her emotional response told him he had found something meaningful. “When Hugh called me last night, he made me cry,” she said.
What moved her most was hearing how much the experience meant to him as well. “He told me, he said, ‘I couldn’t have done it without you, Marilyn,'” Mcallister recalled.
This reaction inspired Saetia to expand his efforts. He established The Eternal Canvas Foundation, formalizing his commitment to helping families through art.
Reaching Grieving Families
For the past two years, Saetia has dedicated himself to painting portraits for families experiencing loss. According to ABC 7, he has completed more than 50 paintings during this period.
“I want to ensure that every portrait is proof that someone lived, that they mattered,” Saetia explained to ABC 7. He emphasized that each painting carries emotional weight for the recipients.
The portraits serve a specific purpose during the grieving process. Saetia noted they are meant to provide something solid when everything else feels unstable.
A Family’s Story
Among the families Saetia has helped are Jim and Ashley Savela, whose son Ford died a year ago. Ford was killed in a hit-and-run incident on the same day the Palisades fire began, according to ABC 7.
The timing of their loss amid the chaos of the fire made their grief feel overlooked, the outlet reported. This context made Saetia’s portrait presentation at Ford’s celebration of life particularly meaningful.
“These beautiful portraits of my Ford, it reminds me that there is still beauty and goodness in the world,” Ashley Savela said. “Your mind plays tricks on you, like he never existed, and here’s the proof that he was seen and that he was loved and that he mattered.”
Jim Savela emphasized that Saetia’s understanding of grief adds depth to his work. “Sometimes it takes someone who has experienced that kind of loss to try recognize it and do something to try to honor,” he told ABC 7.
Funding the Mission
Saetia provides each portrait at no cost to families, funding the work entirely himself, ABC 7 reported. This commitment ensures no family faces financial barriers to receiving a memorial portrait.
The teenager’s dedication extends beyond just painting. He manages all aspects of The Eternal Canvas Foundation, from creating the artwork to coordinating with families.
Impact and Recognition
The portraits have become treasured keepsakes for recipients, offering comfort during difficult times. Each piece represents not just artistic skill but emotional understanding and support.
Saetia’s work has attracted attention for its unique approach to addressing grief. By combining artistic talent with compassion, he has created a meaningful way to honor those who have passed away.
Looking Ahead
At 16, Saetia continues to balance his artistic mission with school responsibilities. His long-term vision for The Eternal Canvas Foundation involves reaching more families across the country.
The foundation operates on donations and Saetia’s personal resources. Each portrait requires time, materials, and emotional investment from the young artist.
The Artist’s Philosophy
Saetia’s approach centers on the belief that visual representation can provide comfort words cannot. His portraits serve as permanent reminders of lives lived and loved ones lost.
The process involves careful attention to detail and emotional sensitivity. Saetia works to capture not just physical likeness but the essence of each person memorialized.
Community Response
Families who have received portraits describe the experience as healing and meaningful. The artwork provides a focal point for memories and a way to share stories with others.
Local community members have expressed support for Saetia’s work, recognizing the positive impact on grieving families. His efforts have inspired others to consider how they might help those experiencing loss.
Future Goals
While continuing his current work, Saetia aims to expand The Eternal Canvas Foundation‘s reach. He hopes to help more families while maintaining the personal touch that makes each portrait special.
The teenager’s dedication demonstrates how one person’s response to tragedy can create ripples of healing throughout a community. His work stands as proof that age does not limit the ability to make a meaningful difference in others’ lives.
Key Takeaways
- Hugh Saetia transformed personal loss into artistic healing for others
- His nonprofit has provided over 50 free portraits to grieving families
- Each painting serves as tangible proof that deceased loved ones mattered
- The 16-year-old funds all work himself, removing financial barriers for families
- His efforts demonstrate how creative expression can address complex emotional needs
