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The pandemic has brought us deeper connections with each other and with nature. I call it the "silver lining to the pandemic cloud."

Connecting with friends and collectors through art has brought me closer to their life passages such as birthdays, marriages, moves, and retirement. The pandemic reminds us life is short and moments of joy are worth commemorating.

One of my great joys this year has been seeing how the challenges of 2020 brought out the best in my art community. Here are a just a few:

1.  My art community is generous, helping others through these difficult months in many ways. This year, my art friends and collectors bought more art for others as gifts than for themselves. (Although buying art for oneself is also a life-affirming action.)

Morning Ride, oil on canvas, a retirement gift

St. Malo, watercolor and ink, a thank you gift

Biking Friends, watercolor and ink, a birthday gift of a portrait of their two bikes together

Northern Flicker, oil painting, a gift for a mother's 80^th birthday

Rocky Mountain Vista, oil on canvas, a wedding gift from the groom. The painting depicts the spot where the couple got engaged. It was such a rewarding commission!

If ever there was a time for celebrating life's passages, it is now.

2.  My art collectors have a deep appreciation of nature and love paintings of wild places, forests, lakes and streams.

Pine Creek September, oil on canvas

Morning at the Lake, oil painting. This is Black Moshannon State Park

Creek Fog Rising, oil painting done at World's End State Park, Pennsylvania

The pandemic makes us appreciate nature more than ever. We can enjoy a walk in the woods or a bike ride in the countryside while being socially distanced. Being outdoors helps us cope with the bad news that surrounds us.  

3.  We realize how lucky we are to have homes. We are spending more time at home and want to remember our houses both for ourselves and for our children. Some of us want to remember a beloved home we are leaving.

A house portrait in oil. The couple is moving and will take this souvenir with them.

A house portrait with Pennsylvania mountains in the background

A house portrait of a beautiful updated farmhouse

House portrait in watercolor and ink, a surprise gift. A beautiful home in Vermont.

4. One last thing about my art community: We LOVE French pastries!

Breakfast in bed is how a friend described this photo of a collection of still life paintings.

Sweet Anticipation, oil on canvas, in its new home

Giving or acquiring a painting is a way of affirming life, of saying “we did this, we were here, we want to remember this moment.” Creating paintings is how I affirm life. During these dark times I am inspired by others’ appreciation of my art and I am honored to be part of their life passages.