Night, For Now began with a drawing of two figures by a campfire. As the series evolved and their story came together, the firelight remained a constant character. Fire provides warmth and offers orientation in darkness. It is where meals are made and where we come together. For the couple in this series, the firelight keeps danger at bay.

But there is always risk.

When I was about 11, I was home alone and somehow decided that the best use of my time was to grab a loaf of bread from the fridge and light it on fire. I went into the garage and found the red gasoline container used for the lawnmower. I was curious to see how the fire would consume the bread. My clumsy hands spilled gasoline all over the deck, and when the flames took hold, I reacted quickly and managed to put them out before any real damage occurred. My pyromaniac career began and ended that day.

Fire has a real potential for destruction. The Palisades come to mind; so does Hawaii. Gaston Bachelard wrote that fire is the first object of human reverie, the element that invites contemplation while demanding vigilance. You cannot look away, nor can you fully trust it.