Ch-ch-ch-ch- changes..........So many coming at us. What will be next?

Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change. Ramsay Clark, civil rights lawyer

COVID-19 has forced us all to change, like the title of my favorite David Bowie song. Most of us don’t like change, but we know it is inevitable. We are all going through “unprecedented” and unplanned changes that came on us abruptly. We weren’t prepared. We’ve had to adapt. And it has taken some time; it’s been a grieving process for many.

However, some of those changes are probably good in the long run. For myself, I have slowed down, a lot. I’m taking my time to do things. Creativity takes time, and so many of us seem to be taking up creative pursuits now that we have the gift of time. In another vein, my neighbors’ kids are thoroughly enjoying their freedom. There are bikes and scooters strewn over lawns and happy little voices along with the birds chirping. They are now allowed outside and are creating their own games. It reminds me of when I was a kid — a long time ago. Drive-in movies are also back in style. We seem to be regressing, but in a good way.

Ready, set, hop scotch.

I’ve had more time to reflect on what is important and how to protect my “creative” time from interruptions. I find I need to spend time warming up and then getting into a flow. Then my creativity is allowed to come. I used to spend days rushing around doing errands and could not find more than three hours a couple days a week to focus on my art and my art business. I am trying to be more disciplined about how I choose to spend my time. But, I also want time to connect with friends, to walk my dogs and to observe life around me with more attention. As the yogis say, “To be present”.

I have been reading a book that seems quite appropriate for our situation, “World Enough & Time on Creativity and Slowing Down”, by Christian McEwen. She believes we can have a “rich sufficiency of time”, but we have to choose what to let go of. I’m hoping it will help me with my priorities and keep my focus on my art.

Mannequins dressed in fine 1940's-style attire were already theatrically staged Thursday at The Inn at Little Washington, tucked in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains about 90 minutes west of Washington, D.C.

I enjoy hearing about all the novel ways that businesses are finding to cope. Most are moving their stores online and offering free delivery. One restaurant is putting mannequins in seats to separate customers and to create an atmosphere. This sounds kind of fun. The pandemic seems to have spawned a lot of creative and positive forces.

Another change I will be going through is the move of my studio. Unfortunately, a rent increase has resulted in the closing of the Akin collective that I’ve been a part of. This is sad and another change I have to accept. But, perhaps, it is also a new opportunity. I will be joining Nanci Miranda’s Studio 360 and hope to keep creating and building a new partnership.

I hope you are all able to work through your own challenges and changes during this time. And that you are able to look for the silver linings.

You can click on the photo to take you to some small work I have for sale. I also have joined the #Artistsupportpledge and have two paintings on sale through them.

Smalls

How are we all feeling?

Hi friends:

i know I am very fortunate. My three sons are still working and we are all safe and comfortable.   I am lucky to be able to spend some time with my youngest son who is home from New York City. But, I am still feeling a little low.

I started out feeling pretty good about the extra time at home, as my days were filled catching up on household chores, joining online art and yoga classes, and having coffee meetups. I was able to get some structure into my weeks and feel that I was accomplishing something. I could order art supplies and books online. I could read more. I could relax in the evenings.

But, it has gotten harder as the days seem repetitive. How about you? How are you getting through it?

Although there have been many silver linings, like seeing my son practice yoga and show off his abilities in the kitchen. More time to practice my art and experiment. Just to have “time”, instead of constantly feeling rushed. But, it is harder to get going some mornings as one day feels much like the next. Do I need some stress in my life to feel motivated?

I listened to a short video today from Yannick Bisson, of Murdoch Mysteries. (Yes, I am a fan) He was saying he felt a little down today, and just felt like saying it. I could relate. Maybe you can too.

I hope you are finding joy in your days. I do appreciate the time to practice my art - and to treat it more as an occupation. I have spent many hours playing in the home studio/laundry room/bedroom. Time spent just on my own, trying new things, wrestling with my own harsh judgement and trying to stay open and loose. I find the process helps me to learn more about myself. I have to learn to let go of the outcome, learn to enjoy the process. Maybe that’s what COVID-19 is teaching us too. Since we can’t control it. We need to stop fighting against it and see what we can learn about ourselves.

I hope you are not being too hard on yourself and that you are taking time to observe the small changes in nature, as spring inevitably comes. I do take comfort from the fact that the world has not stopped. The cycle of life continues, in spite of COVID-19. Keep up the good work. Take care of yourself. Know that you are enough. And it is OK to have some sad moments. This too shall pass. I would love to hear how you are feeling and coping.

Little experiments

Keeping busy during COVID-19