This original acrylic painting, rendered on a 9x12 canvas board, captures a striking moment from the Patsy Pond Nature Trail in North Carolina’s Croatan National Forest. Based on a photo I took, the composition juxtaposes the stark silhouettes of scorched trees—tall, leafless, and ghostly white—with the vibrant life of the forest beyond. The foreground trees, stripped by fire, stand as quiet sentinels against a textured blue sky, while lush green foliage in the background hints at renewal and resilience.
The scene documents the aftermath of a controlled burn, a land management technique used to maintain forest health. These prescribed fires are intentionally set under carefully monitored conditions to reduce excess underbrush, recycle nutrients into the soil, and prevent more destructive wildfires. In ecosystems like the longleaf pine forests of the Southeast, fire is not just a tool—it’s a vital force of regeneration. Controlled burns promote biodiversity, clear space for native species to thrive, and even reduce smoke pollution compared to unplanned wildfires.
Through expressive brushwork and a nuanced palette, the I invite viewers to reflect on the balance between destruction and renewal. The painting honors nature’s cycles and the quiet beauty found in landscapes shaped by fire and time.
Acrylic on canvas board, matted to 12×16.
This original acrylic painting, rendered on a 9x12 canvas board, captures a striking moment from the Patsy Pond Nature Trail in North Carolina’s Croatan National Forest. Based on a photo I took, the composition juxtaposes the stark silhouettes of scorched trees—tall, leafless, and ghostly white—with the vibrant life of the forest beyond. The foreground trees, stripped by fire, stand as quiet sentinels against a textured blue sky, while lush green foliage in the background hints at renewal and resilience.
The scene documents the aftermath of a controlled burn, a land management technique used to maintain forest health. These prescribed fires are intentionally set under carefully monitored conditions to reduce excess underbrush, recycle nutrients into the soil, and prevent more destructive wildfires. In ecosystems like the longleaf pine forests of the Southeast, fire is not just a tool—it’s a vital force of regeneration. Controlled burns promote biodiversity, clear space for native species to thrive, and even reduce smoke pollution compared to unplanned wildfires.
Through expressive brushwork and a nuanced palette, the I invite viewers to reflect on the balance between destruction and renewal. The painting honors nature’s cycles and the quiet beauty found in landscapes shaped by fire and time.
Acrylic on canvas board, matted to 12×16.
