Welcome to the May 2009 issue of EMG-Zine, where we celebrate Fire.

Human relationship with fire presents an interesting dichotomy. Fire consumes and destroys, but we have harnessed it for our own uses. We use it to warm our houses and cook our food, and smelt metal to make our tools. Farmers burn their fields before sowing, to nourish the soil. But when its power is unleashed, and runs uncontrolled, Fire is fearsome and devastating. It is no wonder we hold it in awe.

In this issue, we welcome a new columnist, Constanza Ehrenhaus! She will be undertaking the Artist Spotlight column with a series of interviews with contemporary artists. Ursula Vernon talks about losing and finding ideas, Nicole Cadet gives us some tips on how to cut back our commitments when they become overwhelming, and Missy Acker walks us through a watercolor piece of a griffin. We also have guest features by Erika Harm and Constanza Ehrenhaus, and fire-themed art and comics. Enjoy!

If you would like to submit work for our July issue, the theme is Alice in Wonderland. Please read the guidelines before submitting.