Blog

We've all been experiencing challenges and uncertainty lately; the pandemic and climate change are just a few. In these difficult times, it can be hard to fend off fear and worry. But there is good news to be found and, if you think about it, you might just discover silver linings to the pandemic cloud.

Here are are a few I've found: 

The challenge: I used to send more birthday cards than sympathy and get-well cards. Sadly, that is now reversed.

The silver lining: I am connecting more deeply with other people. Friendships have deepened as our losses are shared.

The challenge: I’ve become a homeschooling parent, a new role I did not see coming.

The silver lining: Homeschooling is teaching me a whole new parenting skill set and requires time and energy, but I have never known my daughter as well as I do now. I am grateful for this precious time together.

The challenge: The impossibility of having my usual lively gathering of 50-70 people for the annual fall open gallery/open studio day.

The silver lining: After some thought, it came to me that this event could be transformed into something more in line with what we need during this stressful period - a quiet, intimate time alone with art. The silver lining was the chance to interact deeply with each of the 15 attendees (outdoors & masked). Some wonderful conversations took place about art and life and I got to know these art friends much better.

Painting Buffalo Creek and the Susquehanna River in Lewisburg, PA

The challenge: I could no longer travel to workshops and artist residencies which I normally enjoy.

The silver lining: I’m painting en plein air (outdoors) close to home and in my own garden. I’m noticing every detail of each plant and flower in the garden and feel an even deeper connection to it than in past years.

Do you notice a common theme?

For me, these examples speak to deepening connections. I’m noticing an increased desire for us to connect on several levels - with each other, with our homes, with our towns and gardens. I'm also more aware of how we use art to celebrate life’s passages such as birthdays, marriage, moving, and retirement, despite the pandemic.

Perhaps the biggest silver lining for me has been seeing up close the generosity and kindness of my art friends. More about this to come in my next blog posting.