The Last Bloom of 2020

The Last Bloom of 2020

6x8, oil

Day 1 of the Strada Easel Challenge:  2021 Is Here!

I'm not sure the world has ever been happier to start a New Year as it is this year. Of course, we are certainly not out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic in which we have all found ourselves. In fact, the pandemic rages on...it's never been worse. Our hospitals are full and struggling still to help all those who are in need of medical attention...whether COVID related or not. I heard a statistic today that 1 in 11 Americans have it or have had it. My grandson Tyler had a mild case from attending college. My grandsons Zack and Brian currently have mild cases, thank the Lord. And, we suspect my daughter's farm family in Washington state had early cases of it last spring...before testing was widespread.

The world has lost countless lives whether from the virus itself or as a result of it and it's impact on our healthcare system, our mental wellbeing, and the world's economy. Mankind is reluctantly united in a way we have never (in my lifetime) been united...to fight the virus, to get an effective vaccine, and to recover economically. But, most importantly, too recover our sense of freedom. 

Oh how we took for granted the simple things in life! Now, we have to stop and consider whether we can visit our families and friends, go out to restaurants, movies, concerts, sporting events or fly on a plane. Even though our odds of surviving are quite good, most people are doing what it takes to both bolster our economy while at the same time staying healthy so we don't inadvertently spread the virus and further burden our healthcare system.  

COVID19 has by now touched every family I know. Fortunately most have gotten mild or moderate cases and slowly recovered. Some have been in ICU yet thankfully survived. Several friends have lost loved ones and a few of my virtual friends have lost their lives. 

Mankind has weirdly adapted to the uncertainty and heartbreaking reality of COVID19...yet we all yearn for the day we can return to the world we once had. So, in a way, we celebrate from afar, a new year...with new hope that 2021 will be better than 2020. 

May God bless us all and help guide us to healthier and happier days ahead!

Another American Hero

Another American Hero

16x12, soft pastel

This time of year (especially this year) we are reminded of our local heroes. Our firefighters are as inspirational as the healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly for months as we battle the invisible deadly COVID19 virus.  Now, on the West Coast of the United States we battle yet another 2020 demon...wildfires.  So many fires are raging throughout the West, more acres burned than we can count...more lives disrupted, more lives ended.  May God watch over all our heroes, give them strength and courage, and when the work is done, bring them safely home. 

Isolation

Isolation

6x6, soft pastel

A little ditty I call isolation. I look forward to the days we are hugging, shaking hands, and socializing once again and remove the word isolation from our daily lives!

Get Your Vitamin C

Get Your Vitamin C

12x18, soft pastel

Sometimes I just have to remind myself to get my vitamin C...and D, and all the other things I need to do to stay heathy and strong. Fortunately I have a dog that needs a walk every day...so vitamin D is readily available from the sunshine we enjoy while walking each day. I like the dramatic backlighting In this piece and chose to include the spotlight I used in the still life setup (just for fun). 

Be safe out there!

 

No Social Distancing Necessary

No Social Distancing Necessary

12x18, soft pastel

So, now it’s July...summer is in full swing, American cities have slowly reopened and sadly all Americans are now faced with an overwhelming spread of the virus.  To say that this year has been difficult is a gross understatement. It has been heartbreaking, devastating, and depressing as I hear of Facebook friends and their families across the globe who have lost dear ones to this virus. 

In America, the virus rages on and on and it has further divided people within an already divided country. The political turmoil and protests in recent years within the States has broken my heart...this virus has trampled it to pieces. Too dramatic a statement? I guess so...but that’s how it feels sometimes. As though all of humanity on earth is being tested...and as they say, “ only the strong will survive”. I firmly believe it’s not just those strong of body...but the strong minded...those who are strong on compassion and love, those who have the strength to simply persevere.

So, to those of you that may eventually read this, may you persevere through this most challenging of times. Draw on the strength within you. Embrace the love, the compassion, the inner strength you know you have. Focus on how you can help yourself and your community. We will all be stronger and hopefully a more compassionate human race going forward. Persevere! 

All Tucked In

All Tucked In

6x6, soft pastel

This little guy was isolating with his family in Italy back in March/April when COVID was blazing through their country. While I’ve stayed quite busy isolating with my husband and dog in America since the first week of March, my blogging habit fell quickly away. I decided to take up guitar while isolating and have painted minimally for the past couple months.

Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone

6x6, soft pastel

In these crazy times we all need to find our "comfort zone" while being as careful as we can regarding the pandemic that is COVID-19.  

Today I'm honoring all the pets around the world who are in isolation with us, providing more comfort than ever before. Jack, the Jack Russell terrier is currently hunkering down in Verona, Italy with his family. You can find Jack on his Instagram page: Beautiful Jack Alfonso. That's where I recently found his photo which inspired this painting.  I reached out to his "mom" and have instantly found a new virtual friend. Someone who is by now well versed in what it's like being in isolation in a country besieged by this virus.

We have been messaging each other during the past few days and she has provided me a glimpse into her world...the world we are beginning to experience here in the United States, an uncertain world indeed! 

So, my message would be: find your comfort zone, take care of yourself and your loved ones, reach out to a stranger and connect...social media can provide some scary information but it also can provide us hope and a way to connect with others around the world.  We can pray, connect, protect ourselves and continue to have hope that one day, we WILL dance again!

God Bless you, 

Cindy G.