I discovered volcanoes in a Geology class in college and became fascinated. I poured through books for illustrations of what was going on underground. There is so much heat and pressure that the molten insides of the earth must release by pushing through the surface in a great explosion. Volcanoes became a symbolic inspiration in my work.My most recent paintings and the book that resulted are about bravery. The volcano, named Vagabond, has popped out of the ground and is flying through life facing fears and and experiencing adventure. The Buddhist teacher, Pema Chodron, writes about “groundlessness” as the feeling of no solid ground beneath our feet. To embrace this is her advice, rejecting the tendency to become attached to security and control. I am exploring these ideas in my current series.