Father's Day 2022 - Fire Fire Fire

On Father's Day 2022, I looked up from dinner with my husband, three children, and a guest. Outside our front window, I saw flames streaming from the house across the street. These flames were huge with blackened smoke and had not existed a moment before. Time would reveal that arson was the reason for the accelerated pace of the fire.
Luckily that house, and the one next to it, were in the building process and no one lived in either spot. Most importantly, no one was injured. But for a furious few minutes, my family grabbed pets and precious belongings, moved cars parked on the street next to the flaming houses, and ensured safety for those around us. Part of our actions included hosing down the Dogwood Tree in our front yard, the subject of family art, poem, and tattoo projects. The fire was directly across from us and threatened our tree, and thus our home. We had to saw off a branch, but the smoking trees across the way did not spread death to our beloved Dogwood, and fortunately, no flames touched our yard and home, nor did they touch the inhabited dwellings of our neighbors except for one home with minimal damage. But the nearby sidewalk trees would succumb to death in the coming months. The newly built house across the street - destroyed. The almost built house next to it - destroyed. The separated garage of an established home behind the burned house - also destroyed along with its motorcycle inhabitant and the home's back windows. Neighbors amassed on our lawn to watch the burning of houses constructed of cheap goods and labor. The fire department came quickly, and the fire fighters' efficient and coordinated efforts unfolded like a ballet on a blazing stage. Our neighborhood, established in the early 20th century, was the host of many arts & crafts homes built in the early 1900s. But the homes constructed quickly in the 21st century of cheap wood-like materials and flammable glue, burnt to the ground like houses of matches. It was a sight to behold and a Father's Day we will never forget.
This piece represents the fire, lost trees, and the multiple hoses (from firefighters and neighbors alike) to preserve what was already established in the neighborhood.

Acrylic on wood, dried flora, lawn hose pieces, metal shavings
18" x 21"