Ablaze

Ablaze, 18X24 poster. $16.64

Fire and breath are mysterious and wondrous, both completely dependent upon oxygen. These were among first thoughts following an initial conversation with John O'Leary about a work of art he was commissioning me to create. The fire part of those musings related to the theme of the art. John, miraculously, survived a childhood encounter with the dangerous nature of fire. He knows well its violence and consuming wrath. Yet he wanted to focus on its beauty and benefits. He wanted a work of art that celebrates fire. We talked about things created with fire, about how industry from the beginning of human history has been dependent upon fire. We talked about beautiful products of fire, about glass, crystal objects, ceramics, precious metals, things fashioned by fire. We talked about kilns holding controlled fire for these purposes. Together we envisioned a molten glass orb at the center of a kiln-held inferno. But what was the orb? What would it be? What would it hold?

I listened to John talk about his passion: people. I took notes. He conveyed zeal for seeing people really alive, thriving, living inspired and passing on inspiration like a blazing Olympic torch. There again, breath and fire. John regards breath in a person's lungs as sacred glory, wondrous opportunity, and infinite possibility. I read his book, On Fire. "I write this book to wake you up to the reality that you have one life to live . . . It will inspire you to harness the power of your daily choices . . . waking up to the miraculous gift of each moment. And it will ignite you to be absolutely On Fire for your life." (p. XII, XIII)

So, there it was, the idea, a kiln holding breath and fire, both needing something: oxygen. At the center of the glowing molten orb is a section of DNA representing the individual life; and circling it at the outer part of the orb are blood cells (oval shapes) coming in blue at top left and on the right exiting red―oxygenation! Sacred breath! And breath emitted by the molten orb fuels the fire.

I was asked about the blackness around the orb. "What is it?" My answer was to return the question to the one who asked it. Everyone has a different answer. Darkness is as personal as DNA and breath. Resistance, devastation, harm, violation, negativity, hindrances real and imagined . . . darkness of some form is ever-present, and can be a formidable foe. It must be overcome breath by breath. Overcoming is an essential part of John's message. He knows better than most the grueling proportions of overcoming darkness and he doesn't sugarcoat its necessity. Thus, his message bears (and the artwork implies) something else bursting forth from the core of the orb. The Song of Songs identifies it this way: "Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame" (8:6, NLT). The purpose of sacred breath, love sets life and the universe around it ablaze with inspiration, hope, joy, and vitality. I named the work of art Ablaze.

The steel kiln (frame) holding Ablaze symbolizes John's story. It began as applied paper of red variations. To this I affixed black paper, and then tore it off―suggestive of raw, blackened, skinless flesh. This was overlaid with a steel coating and brush burnished before being sanded with over a dozen grades of sandpaper for a burnished steel finish. The many stages and layers of this process symbolize the many agonizing steps to daily dressing changes John endured as a nine-year-old boy, all essential to healing. The steel finish additionally represents the new skin of layered emotional healing―a process that continued long after John left the hospital. Finally, I wrapped the entire steel exterior in gauze and impressed into it some of the many thank you notes John has received for the gift of his story and inspiration―the true measure of his healing.

In summary, I will say that works of art have personalities, and Ablaze is of a philosophical bent. As such, it is somewhat of a visual riddle. To appreciate the riddle of Ablaze, it is helpful to imagine the dominant flaming theme of the art to be gone, the flames extinguished. Suddenly, the darkness around the glowing white orb at center is understood to be encompassing. Other bright orbs, now apparent in the distance, are also held within the vast darkness. We are reminded that darkness can be as a crucible where beauty and usefulness are fashioned. So, what is it about Ablaze that bursts through the darkness, setting it alight with blazing-hot beauty? Within the glowing orb are three wonders: a section of DNA, oxygenation, and a triune light source at the core. And luminous energy emitted by the orb turns even the darkness beautiful before igniting into flowering flames.

Ablaze, 18X24 print on metal, $196.00. Metal print comes ready to hang, with mounting apparatus attached to the back of each print.

Ablaze, 26X34.5 print on metal, $330.00. Metal print comes ready to hang, with mounting apparatus attached to the back of each print.

Ablaze, 18X24 limited edition (ed. 1000) giclee fine art print (with two inch white border) $104.50

Ablaze, 26X34.5 limited edition (ed. 1000) giclee fine art print (with two inch white border) $154.00