Song of the Senator was the first work that I began after the fire.  My work space was limited as we were living with friends who opened their home to us.  The subject matter is delicate.  When the fire began in the early morning hours of April 30th, we were asleep.  One of the cars in the parking area of our townhomes had a small fuel leak that came in contact with a hot engine part and began to burn.  Our vehicle was a Jeep Wrangler that we had named Senator Ursula.  

The vehicle that caught fire was parked next to the Jeep and as the cars began to ignite each other the Senator's horn went off as she burned.  It was the blaring horn that woke us from our sleep that morning before the fire reached the house.  

Ursula was the first car I bought brand new.  Many of you will understand the relationship between a car and its owner.  It's more than just a machine, it has a life of its own.  The Senator saved our lives that morning.  Her song steered us away from danger.  It seems only fitting that she should be remembered.  

The image of the woman in flames is a stylized portrait of Ursula Andress, which is where the Senator's name came from. 

The image of the Jeep used for the painting was one that I had taken the week I bought her.  Below is an image of the Senator after the fire.