Faces 10

Offsetting some of the loneliness and isolation of precautionary COVID-19 constraints, I make new friends in my studio—even if I have to conjure them myself from paint!

The Friend Who Isn't Afraid of My Pain
9 x 12"; acrylic, ink, and collage on drawing paper
abstract face
2021
$45

Upcycling

upcycling 'let go'—
old name but same task at hand,
lessons from the edge

work in progress
8 x 10"; acrylic and collage on gessobord

detail

detail

detail

detail

Off to the Races

Oh my gosh, did I ever have fun stepping out of my same-old-same-old over the weekend. No solitude in this studio! No indecision or precious grasping here!

While in Virginia, 8-year-old granddaughter Emmy asked, Gma, do you want to paint?

Next thing I knew she had a plastic cloth spread over the kitchen table; canvases set up for herself, me, and Caroline; paints and brushes out; three palettes in place; and a cup of water at hand for rinsing brushes.

Then we were off and galloping, no one holding any reins that I could see.

You want paint? Squeeze a whole bunch out of a tube.

You want a different color? Mix wildly.

Brush not doing what you want? Use your fingers.

Blueberry Trees
by Emmy
12x16"; acrylic on canvas board
abstract
2018

None of Your Beeswax
by Caroline
8x10"; acrylic on canvas
abstract
2018

work in progress
by Gma
12x12"; acrylic on canvas
abstract
2018

Tucking In

Year after year I talk about wanting to hibernate during the cold and dark of winter.

It occurred to me recently that neither the culture at large nor any one individual is going to make space for me to do so. I am the only one who can make that happen.

So I said to myself, Just do it!

Myself has listened: I am going to slow down my pace and dial way back for the next two weeks or so. No painting (did I just put that in writing?!), no blog, no Instagram, limited email, gentle yoga, simplified routines, fewer lists, more follow-my-nose puttering.

I'll see you on the other side!

detail from a snowscape
2015