Artwork copyright Debra Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Along the Fire Trail, 1999

Debra Davis
(American, born 1960)

Location: North Central High School, Spokane

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Along the Fire Trail is a painting by artist Debra Davis. The artist worked summers as a member of the U.S. Forest Service trail crew. She started this piece while at Yellowstone National Park, located in northwest corner of Wyoming. It is based on a place in the park that had been burned in a large forest fire in 1988. The composition highlights the varied plant growth that surrounds a burnt tree. She notes, "All of the trees had been killed in the ire, then lost their bark and turned silvery gray. There were young green lodgepole pines coming up beneath them, along with fireweed and other pioneer plants... It was fascinating to see how the forest was regenerating after such huge fires."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Spokane School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest artist and naturalist Debra Davis creates paintings and sculptures that are strongly influenced by her summer job as a seasonal forestry technician with the U.S. Forest Service. A longtime resident of Central Washington, Davis received her Master of Fine Arts degree from Central Washington University in Ellensburg and taught art at Yakima Valley College.