After a wildfire, the pollinators are the first to return. The come to take advantage of the newfound flowers warming themselves in newly exposed sun-scapes, free of the shade of too many trees. The bugs come. As do the bees, the butterflies and the birds. Each square of ground is teaming with life.

I am curious how these species see the world and how they move through it. I’m curious if I can perceive the world from their perspective. I know it’s impossible. Yet, the adventure of trying has allowed me to explore landscape painting in new ways. It has opened my eyes to see immense beauty on the ground floor of charred landscapes and has facilitated a deeper respect in me for the beings that are doing the real work to heal our forests.