The artist's story: On the island of Lesvos, Greece, rafts and boats of refugees fleeing war, violence and rape land on the coast every day. The refugees pay smugglers $1500 for the crossing and an additional $100 for life vests, some of which are fake. Since 2015, thousands of refugees have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. Angelika Sogn and Marith Olen, Norwegian volunteers who for many years have helped refugees from the rafts and boats to food and shelter, took me to see the life vest graveyard where the coast guard takes the life vests and rafts of the refugees. Both were visibly upset. Several days later, I painted "Drowned Life Vests" watercolor on paper 9" x 12".