Forest on Fire

This painting began as a simple forest scene, but then I started reflecting on the increasing number of forest fires we’ve been experiencing due to changes in our environment and global warming. As a result, the painting became something much more. What you’re seeing isn’t just trees — it’s a forest on fire, where nature is under enormous pressure, trying desperately to hold its ground while the forces of fire move through it.

I didn’t want to paint the fire itself as spectacle; rather, I wanted to paint what surrounds it — the ancient Oak, the White Birch, and a single Bluebird attempting an escape. There’s tension here, but also strength, as this painting holds three distinct truths.

I didn’t know this at first, but ancient Oaks are known to withstand the heat of fire with their thick, layered bark and their deep root systems. In this painting, the ancient Oak stands for endurance — surviving what should have destroyed it. The White Birch is not as fortunate, as it will not survive the heat. However, its strength lies elsewhere: Birch are seed-driven, often dominating early after a fire with new growth. The Birch represents new beginnings and renewal. Lastly, the lonely Bluebird lifts itself from the smoke and ashes, finding a way forward — a moment of hope, escape, and survival. Together, they tell a story not of destruction, but of persistence through time.

For me, this painting is about awareness — about paying attention before loss becomes normalized. Stewardship doesn’t start with solutions; it starts with noticing. This work asks a simple question: Are we present enough to see what’s happening, and willing enough to care before it’s too late?