Shell-ter In Place
6x6, oil
Day 3 of the Strada Easel Challenge:
These pieces are considered studies...since they don't possess all the realistic details I would typically paint into a scene such as this (and they're painted with oils)...but they are a lot of fun to play with! On the side, I am also painting in pastel...a more laborious juicy piece during the Challenge. Keeping the pedal to the metal when it comes to artwork (housework?...not so much, but then we are tidy folks anyway) 😎.
Yep, 2020 Was Epic!
Following are 2020 paintings that didn't get a fair shake. My routine was disrupted by the pandemic and frankly I succumbed to just going with the flow for most of the year. These were late summer and early fall paintings including a few plein air pieces.
Early Dawn 6x12, pastel
Feeling Boxed In
6x6, oil
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!
