Paradise Lost

I have been talking about climate change since around 1990 and that concern shows up in my 'Western Wildfires' series inspired by the unprecedented fires that ravaged or destroyed towns ranging from Wood Buffalo, AB & Lytton, BC to Paradise & Boulder Creek, CA and beyond.

It started with a photo of a burned out home, yard, and truck surrounded by skeletonized trees in Paradise, CA. The scene was almost gray scale – all charcoal and ashes –caked here & there with pink fire retardant.

I got to thinking about the view folks see driving by on the highway and had to show it as I imagine they experience it.

I also tried to make the scene hold some of the immense sadness that permeates the story of the wasted opportunities, the ravaged landscapes, and the devastated communities.