Resilience in Ruins

Fireweed growing against a decaying structure

On Saturday, I finished this piece from my own imagination. The fireweed is lifting out of the ground among a decaying structure, as fireweed is so apt to do. The wood grain reminds me of my Barn Owl drawing that launched this creative chapter of my life.

Maybe this piece is a new kind of launch.

In Alaska, fireweed is the signal of the height of summer. The fire is beginning now - go look. Tight pearls are forming on the crowns of these knee-high-by-July flora. In weeks, they will combust into fuchsia sparks that blaze brightly on the roadside, against a decaying building, or on a rocky hike. Resilience in ruins makes these an iconic Alaskan flower.