Moved by the rescue of the 'Lucky 7,' Gander artist creates tribute sketch

Inspired by the rescue last week of seven fishermen feared lost at sea, a Gander artist has created an artwork in tribute to the crew of the Elite Navigator.

Keisha Collins created the artwork beginning shortly after the seven men were reported found.

"I was like the rest of Newfoundland. You know, really stressed out wondering if they were going to get home OK," Collins told CBC News.

"It just kind of hit home to Newfoundland. And the fact that all sevenwere OK and, you know, were found safe, it was a happy ending. And it was one that Newfoundland needed to see."

WATCH | Hear the story behind Keisha Collins's Lucky 7 print:

Artwork inspired by the Lucky 7 making waves online

2 months ago

Duration 1:40

The rescue of New-Wes-Valley's 'Lucky 7' fishermen last weekend touched people right across Newfoundland and Labrador. In Gander, an amateur artist was moved to create a new piece inspired by the events. But when she posted her work online, the reaction left her feeling pretty lucky herself.

A fire aboard their boat forced the crew to abandon ship into a to sink, and the men since dubbed the "Lucky 7" were found floating in a life-raft two days later, after using their final flare to signal search and rescue crews.

Collins finished her piece after about six hours and posted the work to Facebook.

"Everyone in Newfoundland has a connection of some sort with a fisherman. One of our best friends is a fisherman, my husband works on the boat away," she said.

"[I'm] just happy to be a Newfoundlander. I'm happy that it's a time for celebration, and a time that, you know, everyone came together."

Collins wasn't planning to anything with the drawing beyond sharing it online, until people started asking about buying prints.

She's since been in contact with one of the crew members and is selling prints with a portion of the proceeds going to the families of the Lucky 7.

In a Facebookpost Friday, Collins said more than $1,600 has already been raised.

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