Fuel
Artist Statement

Forest fires are an arresting, spellbinding phenomenon. Fires conjure images of destruction, fear, annihilation as they consume their fuel. The land after a forest fire is silent and barren, void of vegetation, insects and birds. Over time it will heal, but initially it is a tragic, dark place.

While forest fires can create devastation, they also can cause rejuvenation. Not all forest fires are bad. Forest fires are one of the ways nature regulates itself, clearing a forest floor dense with decay, or ridding those trees that have grown too tall, that choke out other growth. Forest fires can kill healthy trees and wildlife, yet without these fires there is plant-life that would not grow, and herbivores that would not hunt if not for the new growth.

This series uses forest fires as a metaphor for the catastrophes in one's life - how these events can be terrifying and devastating, but from which good can emerge. We may experience many tragic events in our lives including life-threatening illnesses, divorce and death. The seriousness of these occurrences - the fear, pain and difficulty people experience while trying to cope with these events - cannot be minimized. Rather, many people are able to bring meaning to their circumstances and perceive an opportunity for change and growth.