My artistic expression of Refugia — Life Emerging from Destruction depicts the resurgence of plant life amidst a devastated landscape. The green plants emerging from the ground symbolize life finding its way back into an environment that has undergone some form of destruction or decay, in this case, a wildfire.
Despite the nearly absolute devastation that comes from the ever-increasing strength and longevity of wildfires, life finds a safe haven that allows for post-devastation growth.
In chapter 5 of Refugia Faith — Debra Rienstra writes about gratitude instead of resignation. Acknowledging God’s ongoing work in renewal was a big emphasis for me in creating this drawing. I wanted to express gratitude that even in the utmost devastation, God continues to create and renew life. This is the darkest of the five drawings I created in this project, but the possibility of renewal is also absolute.