Mixed Media. 2020
These piecee are the second and third of my original concepts in a Global Warming series I had started in early 2020. I intended to make several dual panel pieces utilizing a Photo Encaustic technique including encaustic medium, oil paint, pan pastels and photographs to illustrate some cause and effects around the world. Although this prototype was done on cardboard and is basically unfinished it does reflect my frustration with the world at that time and the title 'TBD' (To Be Determined) fits well as the fate of this piece and this series is unknown.
The whole covid 19 pandemic has turned my personal art business on it's ear and has nearly decimated our commercial business which is art reproduction (Reed Art & Imaging). Luckily, we had a few large projects carry over from the pre-pandemic era to keep us afloat. At least for now, (knock on wood) we are doing OK. My personal art took a hit when numerous gallery exhibits that I was accepted into were canceled or went virtual which has not proven to be the answer just yet. All but one of the art fairs I scheduled was canceled and just today I got a message that the one shop I still have artwork showing is closing and I have 2 days to pick up my work.
At the start of the pandemic I had dreams of making all kinds of artwork as emotions and uncertainty were running high which I saw as fuel to create but as it turned out it became such a distraction that I accomplished very little. So to answer your question, the new normal is not too rosey as a business model for artists but I am thankful that my family and friends and I still have our health and are holding up and looking forward to a 'new' new normal.
