The Presence and Presents of Fire

The West is on fire our proverbial back yard. The mountains and plains of the western United States burn at an unprecedented rate in the summer of 2026. Record low snow pack combined with record high temperatures result in breathing smoky haze, watching rivers run dry, all the while waiting for flowers and trees to rise from the ashes like a phoenix.

Fire, once viewed as detrimental to National Parks and forests was suppressed as quickly as it started. Over time the beneficial and ecological role of fire became better understood and it’s now policy to let natural fires burn under controlled conditions.

Burning up, combusting, blooming once again.
Some plants need wildfire to germinate.
Like a mythical quest, I have combusted over and over, shedding layers, discovering my center, moderating internal and external flames, I have power, finding joy in living once again.

Nature, my intuition, rising from the ashes.

© 2026 Jodie Atherton

Presence and Presents of Fire

Medium: Hand-dyed vintage doily, vintage cotton tatting, beads, hand made beads from a trip to Turkey, paper, paint, wire, vintage cast iron bunsen burner

19 x 19 x 11”