Kilauea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii that has been steadily erupting for the past thirteen years. The lava moves so slowly that I was able to stand right at its leading edge, as close as the intense heat would allow. This creeping pace is deceptive. Nothing stands in its way, not stop signs, not trees, not whole towns. During one siege when the lava was threatening to destroy homes, the U.S. Army tried to divert it, with dubious success, by dropping 600 pound bombs in its path.
Diversion is the best they can do.
Nothing stops the lava from reaching its destination. I was impressed. I wanted to be like that, unstoppable. This memory came to me last year while I was in the midst of an exciting yet disturbing upheaval. After being a painter for twenty-five years, I had changed my course.