Sunday, November 05, 2006

Illustration Friday: Smoke

Five firefighters lost their lives battling the Esperanza Fire in Southern California last month:

Pablo Cerda, 23
Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20
Mark Loutzenhiser, 43
Jason McKay, 27
Jess McLean, 27

The blaze was a result of arson, which should be considered an act of terrorism.

Smokey the Bear needs to shed his nice-guy image and start baring his teeth.

Peace to you and deepest respects to the families of the fallen five.

28 comments:

Jeannetto said...

Nice work. I heard Smokey the Bear was retired due to the need for fires as a natural part of nature or something.

Anonymous said...

Good one. Yes natural forest fires are necessary but fires set by humans aren't natural so I totally agree it should be classifed as terrorism..

JO said...

Great work, and a sad message. We will send prayers as well to the families.

Heartful said...

I totally agree, good work.

Michelle Lana said...

wonderful illo and a heartful message!

studio lolo said...

Bravo! I love how you brought it home to us all by listing the names of the fallen. Well done...thank you.

Stacia said...

One of our childhood toys was a stuffed Smokey The Bear. It hardly has any hair left and might be missing an eye...it's now considered vintage. But I think you're right! Smokey needs to fight his way out of retirement and get his groove on with a new image!

Love your illo - it's strong just like your message.

° said...

there u go a smoky that kicks ass and takes names later. just wish it where true, sure would help out there

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Your angry bear makes a powerful and expressive statement! Well done! And poignant.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to have stumbled upon your blog. Your work is terrific! Keep at it! c",)

trowbridge chronicles said...

What an original and appropriate interpretation of the word. Great illustration, as usual.

Larry Lee said...

This is another great illustration with an even greater message. People need to think about the consequences of their actions. Certainly what the arsonist did had a profound and everlasting effect on the families of those firefighters.

Peace to all.

Michele Melcher Illustration said...

Looks like the bear is pissed!

studio lolo said...

I couldn't find an email for you so I had to hop back on here. The studio will be open for the final art walk, Dec 1st 5-8pm. Stop in for some cheap wine! My husband ( Brian Gaylord) thinks he knows you from working at The Californian.

Again, powerful illo!

Tony LaRocca said...

Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires.. only YOU. I had a Smokey the Bear Jr. Fire rangers kit, with a little aluminum foil badge, when I was a kid... my parents were into sending away for freebies!

HARDWAX said...

Smokey never looked so good or so BAAAAD, something, the fierce emotion in his face. Firefighters risk their lives every day, but for something as senseless as an arsonists blaze makes it somehow more tragic. Wow, very dramatic beautiful work!

Kay Aker said...

This Smokey is truly growlin' and a prowlin'! Extremely powerful!

Unknown said...

Time for Smokey to Hulk-out. Back on the mid-east end of the country it's easy to let these news items pass by because it's "out there"... but each individual life from coast to coast is worth noting and honoring, especially those lost in public service. I hope you touch many through this post... and I pray people continue to wake up from selfish stupidity. ~DL

Tony Sarrecchia said...

That's one pissed off looking Smokey. Great job.

Kim de Young said...

That fire was a terrible thing, I am glad they caught the guy they thinks started them. It makes so sad to think of the little animals of the land that lost their homes and lives that day too.

Babe in the Woods said...

Your work is always so good and powerful. You don't draw for the sake of drawing, you give meaning and sense as well. In the last how many years, someone or some group decided we needed to be more "politically correct". Example: Don't say Merry Christmas. Then it seemed our laws changed as well and I have noticed more people less afraid of commiting unlawful acts. I realize that some start fires because of an illness, pyromania, but most are from anger or the mindlessness of throwing a lit cigarette butt out a car window. Anyway you look at it, its wrong and if a firefighter dies trying to put out the flames, it should be considered murder if it doesn't already.

Twisselman - please forgive me for getting so mouthy. See I told you your work was powerful!

Janet said...

Nice work....and very sad.
...hoping you had a happy Thanksgiving!

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Hey Twisselman, I miss your illustration entries!

Hope all is well.

Scott

HARDWAX said...

Where are you Twisselman?

miri

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on these sentiments--completely with you. The smoke from those fires made it hard to breath about 90 miles away here in Oceanside.

Michelle Lana said...

Thanks for stopping by, Twisselman! take care and see ya later.

Anonymous said...

Hi Twisselman,

Thanks for commenting on my "Strength" post. Hope to see some more illustrations from you.

Robert McLaughlin

Anonymous said...

TWISS!! I'm so glad you visited - you have SO many new and wonderful things posted! This IF is very meaningful - puts a spin on the Smokey I remember coloring-in in kindergarden.
man, I need to start doing the IF challenge again! Hope everything is going well :)