Of all different kinds of light in the wilderness, lightning may be the one you would prefer not to see close-up. But it would be magnificent if you could witness lightning's beauty and power for yourself without the danger. Now you can, because that was my inspiration for Thunderbolt. In this image, the tree is acting as a lightning rod. The current travels through part of the tree's tissue. The moisture in that layer is instantly turned to steam, and the tree's bark blows off in an impressive explosion. Lightning is terrifically challenging to paint. I've seen this phenomenon from a distance while backpacking, but to actually capture it took a lot of research and imagination. Lightning is dramatic and dangerous, but now you can get close to it and appreciate it, without being in danger. - SL