11 Homecoming: A Tribute to Katie
- Jeremy Faivre
- Sep 11, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 1, 2024
Art has always been a deeply personal journey for me, a way to process emotions and memories. My painting, titled 11 Homecoming, is one of the most emotional pieces I’ve ever created. It’s dedicated to someone I knew in high school—Katie. In late 2022, I learned that Katie had passed away in a tragic and violent way, and this painting serves as a memorial to her and the beautiful soul she was.
Katie and I shared a special moment in 2011. We went to our sophomore homecoming dance together, which is why I chose the title 11 Homecoming. That night, we slow danced to You and Me by Lifehouse. I can still remember the song playing softly, the weight of the moment feeling so significant in the way only high school experiences can. It’s strange and bittersweet how moments like those stay with you forever.
After high school, life took us down different paths, and Katie and I drifted apart. We lost touch, as so many high school friendships do. It wasn’t until late last year that I stumbled upon the heartbreaking news that Katie had been murdered by her boyfriend during an altercation. The shock and sorrow I felt upon hearing this were overwhelming. Katie was the kind of person who radiated positivity and kindness. She had a way of making the world better, even in small moments. It’s gut-wrenching to think her life was cut short in such a tragic way.
Her death hit especially close to home for me because I, too, have experienced the horror of domestic violence. I survived an abusive relationship that left me hospitalized.
You can dive deeper into this part of my life that inspired one of my other paintings titled 3,149 Days in this separate blog post:
There’s a terrifying connection between our stories—both of us trapped in violent, toxic relationships. I was fortunate enough to survive an attack, where Katie, tragically, did not. When I think about what she must have endured in her final moments, my heart breaks all over again. I know the feeling—the fight to survive. And while I made it through, the reality that she didn’t is something I continue to grapple with.
Creating 11 Homecoming was a cathartic experience, and I poured all of my grief, confusion, and heartache into it. Using acrylic paint on an 11” by 14” canvas, I painted an image of two mountain blue birds, one of them blue (male) and the other one orange (female). This design choice came to me because orange was Katie’s favorite color and I found it to be such a beautiful way to memorialize her. I wanted to capture the complexity of emotions that surround her memory—the beauty of our shared moment at homecoming, and the darkness of how her life ended. The song You and Me by Lifehouse served as a source of inspiration, a reminder of the time when our lives intersected so long ago. It’s strange how music has a way of transporting you back to moments you thought were lost in time.
Here’s a link to the song if you’d like to give it a listen:
To Katie’s friends and family who knew her far better than I did, my heart goes out to you. I can’t begin to imagine the depth of your loss. I hope that this painting, in some small way, honors her memory and the impact she had on the people around her. She was truly one of a kind, and the world is a little dimmer without her in it.
For Katie, and for all those who have lost someone to violence, I send all the love I have. 11 Homecoming isn’t just a painting—it’s a tribute, a farewell, and a reminder of the importance of love, safety, and the connections that shape our lives.
As of writing, the original 11 Homecoming painting is currently available to purchase. Printed reproductions are also available as well! Here’s the link to the online listing page:
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