Helitack

Gale Schadewald

Copper, Wood

11" x 11" x 8"

Wildfire is a force of nature that can be difficult to control, corral or tame but ask any firefighter on the line and they will tell you it’s the most exhilarating and rewarding job there is. There is nothing quite like the physically demanding aspects of wildland fire nor the camaraderie that is forged in fire. Acid etched in copper, this art piece represents first responders as a helitack wildland firefighting crew is depicted in the scene. The background of the copper design is a wood round that is set ablaze. The hand cut copper has been colored to make it look aged and weathered while the flames at the top have been polished for a contrasting, dramatic effect. The wood log that is displaying the art piece has been burned, giving it the look (and a faint essence) of being rolled straight off the fireline itself. Prior to graphic design and metalsmithing, I was a wildland firefighter for six seasons. Two seasons were on an engine crew and four seasons on a helitack crew.

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