Intersections Artist in Residence Program
I approached these paintings as folk art paintings because the firefighters have a mythic place in our society. It is a profession children dream of doing and the lure is not diminished in adulthood. The profession and good works are legendary. I felt for many reasons that firefighters are folk heroes. It is the nature of their work to expect the unexpected, to answer every call with concern, respect, and heart and good humor. They are one of the select few who keep the same job for their entire careers. To say there is the element of brother hood among the fire fighter culture that includes all fire fighters is an understatement, being a fire fighter is a way of life. The nature of their job is in itself, awe inspiring because of the danger involved, the fact that the fire fighters continued to have even temperaments and good humor despite the daily grind, was personally moving and compelling.
I am proud and honored to be a part of this residency project.
It id with the utmost respect, admiration and pleasure that I made these works for the fire fighters, Portland Fire and Rescue and the City of Portland.
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