A Long Island artist is painting a mural of Gabby Petito in her native home of Blue Point.
Tess Parker is a muralist, artist and painter. She says she wanted to reach out to the family and do what she could to help.
“For me this therapeutic helping people by making art and that’s just how I knew how to help,” Parker. “And this is really the only way I know how.”
The mural turned into a project that had the whole community helping out.
A law office allowed Parker to use its wall for the mural and a hardware store helped donate materials. People have been bringing her food as she was working.
“I’m just so touched,” Park says. “Everyone’s just been so sweet.”
The painting will have Petito in a field of sunflowers with butterflies flying around her and lots of color.
Parker says she feels Petito’s spirit with her a little bit and guidance from her.
“There are really no words about losing Gabby in this entire experience, but if, if something can come from it, I’m just hoping that other people get the help that is out there,” Parker says.
Parker expects to have the mural finished by early next week.
It will be located just east of Nichols Road in a shopping center on Montauk Highway.