THE DRAGONS

THE DRAGONS

The dragons have flown in to join Magnus and Murray from all over California, and even from other countries. They have been created by school kids, grandparents, and professional artists. We’ve grouped them in three categories:

DRAGONS OF FIRE AND RAIN

This group depicts both types of dragon. In Trifecta, there is a third dragon hidden in the painting… can you find him?

Twin Tales of a Firebreak

Michael DesRosiers
2021
Mixed media on cradled MDF panel
20 x 16 in

Artist’s message:
Fire is both a beneficial and destructive force of nature. Twin Tales of a Firebreak explores this duality, and in so doing calls on us to do what we can to mitigate our interference with nature. Firefighters need our support as they fight dangerous wildfires exaggerated by the effects of climate change.

Follow Michael on Instagram

Trifecta

Brian Stanton
2013
Pen and ink on paper
20 x 16 in

Artist’s message:
Your lives are forged by fire. I was a wildland fire fighter as my son is now. We’re all part of a brotherhood forged by fire. Stay strong.

The Fighting for Survival: Flight or Fight

Kennia Reyes-Avila
Mira Monte High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Markers on paper
15 x 11 in

Fuego y Agua

Payton Groves
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Color pencil on paper
8 x 10 in

Artist’s message:
I think you guys are super cool and brave for taking care of the fires. My dad also happens to be a fire fighter, too. Thank you so much for your service.

Shield among fire

Leon Valdivia
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Color pencil on paper
8 x 10 in

Artist’s message:
Thank you for your service.

DRAGONS OF FIRE

When fires break out, the Dragons of Fire take flight. Their massive wings dampen the flames and shield our firefighters from harm.
Their lungs filter the smoke and clear the air. And the fires they set on the ground keep the big flames at bay.
They are the stewards of fire.

Magnus

Aria Luna (Grade 6)
2021
Color pencil on paper
9 x 12 in
22.9 x 30.5 cm

Meet Aria Luna’s Magnus, Dragon of Fire and the brother of Murray, Dragon of Rain.

 

Amaru

Arwen Freya Salter
Grade 8, United Kingdom
2021
Watercolor and ink on paper
6 x 8.27 in

Artist’s message:
Thank you for your sacrifice and bravery, and your determination to help people and animals survive.

Elia

William Harshaw
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Pencil on paper
8 x 10

Artist’s message:
Keep the light and you’ll succeed.

Fire Dragon

Sayra Gutierrez
Economedes High School, Edinburg, Texas
2021
Color pencil and charcoal on paper
12 x 18 in

Prometheus

Kara Engracia
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Digital art
8 x 10 in

Artist’s message:
Thank you for your service. I admire the bravery you have and the hard work you put in. Keep on working hard! (But make sure you take some time for yourselves.)

Fire Dragon

Avita Espinoza
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Alcohol markers on paper
8 x 10

Fu

Magdalene Xin Heng Lee
Hong Kong
2021
Sculpture and mixed media
46cm x 35cm

Artist’s message:
We folks at home appreciate your continued efforts and feel safe because of all the work you’ve done for the community over the years! Thank you so much!

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Smaug

Megan Feeney
United Kingdom
2021
Digital art
[dimensions]

Draco

Lucy
New York
2021
Oil on canvas panel
10 x 8 in

Artist’s message:
Thank you for your heroism and dedication. You do what not many would have the nerve to do and you continue to do so under the worst of conditions. You are awesome!!! My grandson’s favorite thing to do is pretend he is Sam the Fireman and rescue people.

Sin

Karina Garcia
Economedes High School, Edinburg, Texas
2021
Color pencil and water color on paper
9 x 12 in

Stewart the Dragon

Seth Oxford
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Color pencil on paper
10 x 8 in

Artist’s message:
Go TEAM!

Max

Christopher Gonzalez
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Color pencil on paper
8 x 10 in

Fire Dragon

Ivan Tomaquin
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Pencil on paper
10 x 8 in

Artist’s message:
Good luck!

Fire Dragon

Kien Nguyen
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Pencil on paper
10 x 8 in

Artist’s message:
Good luck and thank you for fighting for our homes.

DRAGONS OF RAIN

When fires break out, the Dragons of Rain take flight. With their great wide wings they gather the clouds and summon the rain. They protect seeds and young trees and nourish the earth. They are the stewards of rain.

Murray

Aria Luna
2021
Acrylic on canvas
16 x 12 in
40.6 x 30.5 cm

Meet Aria Luna’s Murray, Dragon of Rain, and the brother of Magnus, Dragon of Fire.

Chrysocolla

Bird Watcher (US)
2021
Digital art (ibisPaintX)
768 x 1024 px

The holes in Chrysocolla’s wings represent evaporation and how the California heat is drying up our bodies of water. The water patterns on the wings represent the tranquil waters of the California lakes and rivers, and the white foam patterns represent the powerful sprays of water the firefighters use to put out wildfires. The gold eyes represent the yellow uniforms firefighters wear out in the field.

Artist’s message:
Thank you for all the hard work you do!

Draco

Arwen Freya Salter
Grade 8, United Kingdom
2021
Watercolor and ink on paper
4 x 4 in

Artist’s message:
Thank you for your sacrifice and bravery, and your determination to help people and animals survive.

Aqua

Maia Bradshaw
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Watercolor on paper
10 x 8 in

Artist’s message:
Thank you so much for protecting us all!

Pluviam

Sydney Newman (Boca Raton, Florida)
2021
Digital art (Adobe Photoshop)
8 x 10 in

The Sun Fall of Imagination

Alex Balli
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Digital art
8 x 10 in

Magreel

Julissa Garcia
Economedes High School, Edinburg, Texas
2021
Color pencil on paper
15 x 11 in

Calypso

Brian Stanton
2018
Watercolor and mixed media on paper
16 x 20 in

This Dragon of Rain is named after the Green water nymph Calypso.

Artist’s message:
I was a wildland fire fighter as my son is now. We’re all part of a brotherhood forged by fire. Stay strong.

Dragon After the Battle

Marie Bojorquez
Mira Monte High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Acrylic on paper
11 x 14 in

Trey

Party (Chandler, Arizona)
2021
Digital art (ibisPaint X on an iPhone XR)
[dimensions]

Artist’s message:
We can do this!

Life and Death

Jeremiah Chong
2021
Color pencil on paper
8 x 10 in

Artist’s message:
Thank you for keeping us safe.

Scacy

Chelsey Aguinaga
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Color pencil on paper
8 x 10 in

Bloo

Kaden Sanchez
Kern High School, Bakersfield, CA
2021
Color pencil on paper
8 x 10 in

 

Would you like to submit a Dragon of your own? Or do you know an artist who loves to draw dragons? Check out the Call For Art page for information on how to submit.