Being Isolated from most of the people and things that I love has been deeply challenging for me…. and most of my friends. In March after returning from a lovely family vacation, I returned home to find New York at the epicenter of this terrible pandemic. I thought this quarantine would be at best a couple of months. I’m glad that I didn’t know the magnitude of this crisis. Not being in control or having answers is torturous for me.
I am grateful for my beautiful Long Island home and its beach access. The hours of walking and quiet have helped ease much of my anxiety and loneliness. Growing up on the West coast, I have always loved the water. Being in it, on it, or just looking at it has been a constant mood elevator. Until a few weeks ago, when the heat and bugs arrived , my husband and I walked almost daily collecting some lovely beach glass specimens.
The time spent outdoors…seeing EVERYTHING day to day… has filled me with color and texture. So much happened as my senses sharpened and I watched winter turn to spring and then summer. I feel blessed to be an artist and have this outlet to express myself. Some days in my home studio are very fruitful and others…well not so much! I’m not pushing myself to create.. just to show up.
We all are feeling the effects of this pandemic. I’m trying to be kinder to myself and not be so quick to judge my work. I have so many feelings … good and bad and I’m sure they will be expressed at some point.
I was contacted by Gallery & Studio Arts Journal in April to be published in their “Art in Quarantine” journal. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to share what I had been painting. Thank you!
