3. The Young Disaster Series - The Beautiful, Serene, Majestic and Explosive Bulkana

Bulkana, The Beautiful, Serene, Majestic and Explosive. Archival micro pigment ink on 12"x9" Bristol Board

I have a confession to make. I struggled with this drawing. Throughout the process, I kept having this feeling that I should stop and start all over, but I kept on going until it was a point of no return. At one time I described the process to my friend as if it is an unwanted pregnancy and I am pro-life, not that I can relate nor am I trying to diminish the significance of pregnancies. At any rate I persevered and finally pushed myself to complete it. You know what? I am delightfully surprised. She is strikingly beautiful against her dark backdrop which is fitting because she is in the jungle.

Bulkana (mature, above left) has always been quiet and unassuming. Just being there, offering a beautiful view. The people who live under her shadow benefit her generous gifts which are bountiful. However, there is something sinister about her. Cities and entire islands have been turned to monuments and memories of her destructive power. This is what I wrote of the mature Bulkana:

Beautiful and majestic Bulkana. She is Lindol's twin sister (Lindol, Earthquake, on the left). Before she awakens she summons Lindol and later she may call Chunami (Tidal Wave). She lies dormant and asleep most of the time. She is the Mother of Organic Gardening for she makes the earth fertile with volcanic soil. She is beautiful when she is asleep and even when she awakens and erupts, it is a sight to behold, afterwards, she colors the skies and cools the earth. Never underestimate her power. Heed her warnings. The three of them live in the Pacific Ring of Fire.