Watercolor & Gouache.
My dear friend, Sue, is the inspiration for The Mask Maker. Sue started making masks in late March 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic became acute. Since then, she has lovingly made hundreds of masks not only for family but for friends, and upon request for others, spending countless days in her sewing room. Even for such an accomplished seamstress, mask-making is tedious work resulting in a very small product compared to the time it takes to measure and cut and fold and stitch and iron the fabric for each mask, as well as apply the elastic.
In order to communicate Sue's constancy despite this tedious and tiring work, the palette that I chose is limited and rather cold, with a warm red pincushion that immediately draws the eye. From there, the eye begins to "read" the story as it travels to the bright lamp and sewing machine, then drops to Sue's weary, patient face and folded hands.
This is my tribute to Sue - to her outflow of faith and radiantly graphic expression of Christ's love and concern for others.
The coronavirus pandemic has literally driven me out of my studio! Since March, I've engaged in a great deal of en plein air painting, exploring the vibrant hues in my own gardens and then, after the Stay at Home order was lifted, going farther afield. Though I started my watercolor career in 2000, painting regularly with a plein air group, in recent years I've done mostly studio work and taken many classes and workshops. Getting back to work outside is both a stretch and glorious challenge.
With indoor art classes and workshops mostly cancelled this year, I've taken a six-week plein air watercolor class this summer. Several times a week, I engage with others of like mind. Brushes in hand, we explore lovely parks and discover intimate scenes that otherwise we might have overlooked. What a joy! Even masked and distanced, we can easily critique each other's work and exchanged art ideas - the very stuff that drives our creativity.