Bonfire is my most recent painting. I had been thinking about the fire element in the last few weeks. On Valentine’s Day when the news links about the Parkland High School shooting began to appear, I found myself feeling very sad and angry on the special day marked for love. As usual the politicians offered thoughts and prayers, while acting as if nothing can be done about this continuing problem. Remarkably over the next few days, as I looked at the various social media sites, I could sense a shift. The teens and their parents were acting on their grief and anger to take back their power and those of us on the sidelines were adding to this energy of change that is starting to happen.
When my daughter was a senior in high school, there was an incident were a student skipped class and stole a cache of guns and ammunition from a home in an adjacent neighborhood. As the information about a lockdown came through, we began to hear sirens and helicopters overhead. At that point we were not sure if there was an active shooter in the school, it was frightening. The police handled the the situation and all ended well after several hours with no shooting. When my girl graduated I was relieved that that worry for her was over, even though she heading to New York City for college! I feel for all the moms and dads and children that still have that fear that it could happen one day at their school.
Each of us has an inner fire that we can call upon for standing up for what we feel is right. Traditionally the fire element represents action, power, passion, and creativity. In medieval times salamander nature spirits were thought to provide the spark for starting the fire. When looking into a fire and seeing all the movement of the colors, it’s easy to see why they thought of salamanders. I decided to add them to the fire.
It is inspiring to see these teens coming together and owning their power encouraging us to do the same and it will bring about positive change. This Bonfire is for them!
Heni's Happy Paintings 
Powerful Heni! It is very encouraging that young people are standing up and letting their voices be heard loud and clear!