Art in the Time of Covid

It’s been 10 months of lockdown and, like everyone, I’m frayed and tired. But there is one place that restores my weary spirit. My studio is my haven. Though I can’t go much of anywhere in the outside world I continue to have artistic journeys and to create and participate in art community. I’ve created thirteen acrylic paintings and one foldbook and have taught 15 Zoom art classes since March. Partly, this is because it’s what I love to do and it’s my career. But also, my studio is my place of joy. All of my paintings have been influenced by Covid and 2020, though mostly in a less than obvious way. Many paintings are expressing a new beauty, even though we are in sad times. I filter my imagery to create a hopeful vision. For other artists what they choose to express may be different. It’s all valid. This is a time to be more in the process than anything. Painting FEELS good and we all need to feel good right now. One thing I love about teaching on Zoom is that I have students from different places in the world. Our Zoom class has become a community where we share and talk about the good stuff; paint, color, composition, personal vision. It’s a place to feel connected to other artists and to be encouraged. I’m grateful.