It’s been six weeks since we’ve been quarantined and I’m feeling lucky for the privilege of being able to stay home. I know that’s not the case for many people and today more than ever I feel gratitude. Time seems to stand still and the days are blending in to each other but outside spring has come to the Hudson Valley. Flowers are starting to bloom, we hear birds singing all day, and it’s warm enough to ride bikes without jackets (but wearing masks).
With everything happening in the world I know that art is not a priority for people. We are completely consumed with the news and the reality of our situation across the globe but I would argue that we need art now more than ever. We need to see things that make us feel something other than panic and fear and so we need to create and see things that will take us to far away places in our imaginations.
For me personally it’s been an emotional rollercoaster thinking about everything that is happening, feeling the loss of so many people around the globe, and having so many drastic changes to my home and work life. My entire work flow has understandably changed as I’ve shifted my focus from my studio practice to everything else in life that needs my attention like homeschooling my children, making sure my family is safe, doing too much laundry, and cooking all day. It has been very hard but the unexpected gift (other than all this time at home that I would never have with my family) has been to express myself creatively in other ways. Ideas are being born even if I have no idea how to execute them yet.
I’ve been pushing myself to think differently and to work within the limits that I have. I’ve recently finished a new series of small format works and studies after focusing on large scale paintings for a while and going back to basics with drawing. Drawing! Something that I’ve loved to do since I was a young girl has become my most treasured creative outlet that I’ve reintroduced to my practice. I’ve been writing in my journal every day to remember this time and to get my feelings and thoughts on paper. I’ve encouraged my kids to write in their journals, too even if it’s just a simply sentence or thought and I recommend it so much. Somehow seeing my feelings on paper makes me feel less isolated and more in control in a situation where I have no control at all.
This weekend was supposed to be the annual River Arts Studio Tour and it’s one of my favorite events of the year. I love opening up my studio and showing people where I create. Because I get so many questions about my process and where I work, a few months ago I shared this video on my IGTV where I take you through my space showing details big and small…even my studio mascot, Joan Mitchell, makes an appearance. I hope you will check it out and I hope you’ll stay tuned for new work that I’ll be posting here. And, you can always find me on my Instagram where I share daily and recently too much information, lots of videos of my home made meals, and my kids and neurotic but sweet dog who are my daily home studio companions.
This Spring was supposed to look very different for me. Three big shows have been cancelled and there was a potential something brewing that I was letting myself get very excited about. But, I know that better days will come. In the meantime, we can enjoy each other and art at a safe distance and online.
Thank you so much for being here. Your support means so much to me. Stay safe and healthy.
