Pastel Pencil. 2020
A particularly cruel aspect of the coronavirus pandemic is being physically separated from a loved one who is suffering - they go without hugs, hand holding, and tears together. Both people are alone - the loved one and the patient. This art work entitled, ISOLATION, represents the longing to eliminate this loneliness. The ground floor window allows this woman to peer in the hospital room hoping to create an emotional connection. It depicts love in the purest form.
I worked on an art piece for a month that depicted all of the losses of my family members during the coronavirus pandemic - my husband, children and grandchildren. The painting represented missed proms, missed graduations, college closures, the end of sports, relocating to a home office, the love of families being quarantined in their individual homes; coming together only by a Zoom family meeting once a week. It turned out the art piece wasn't very good but it was important therapy for me to paint and connect with each loved one and their emotional loss. I actually lamented with them as I drew them, occasionally with tears.
Sometimes it is the process of just DOING ART and not the result that can make the biggest difference.