This piece was a labor of love and very intense. I worked at capturing several aspects of Greek life, the struggles against the elements which have been devastating with the fires and the value of the crops and trees comparing to gold. The painting of the olive tree rooting right into the dancer who is trying to stay in the living waters not to be consumed by the fires below that engulf the olive groves. The angels are helping to control the water so it can flow directly over as well as extinguish the fires.In his hand, which is raised up in a stopping motion to say no to the fire and yes to life is a scale. On one side is gold and the other an olive branch with olives. The scales are not tipped showing that the life bearing fruit or the olive tree is as precious as gold. They are in balance also to show how all of life hangs in the balance at all times. No matter what, with faith and God's help we will overcome.
