Painting in the time of COVID
Update on 2020
2020 sure has been a crazy, anxious, challenging year! It’s also been a time of deep reflection, self discovery, resiliency, and figuring out what is truly important.
I started the year with my husband Don and I educating ourselves on nutrition, our health, and the environmental impact of industrial farming and the meat industry. So we decided to go whole food-plant based in our eating. I remember Oprah’s quote, “When you know better, you do better” so we have fully embraced the vegan lifestyle. I’ve discovered that not only have I been more mindful and aware in my diet but also in what I watch on TV, who I associate with, how I spend my time, and the words I speak.
With so many living in fear, I’ve come to realize that I need to keep calm and surround myself with people and things that make me feel good. I am a great believer of what you focus on expands, so I choose to spend my time living joyfully, painting, getting out and playing lots of golf and tennis, connecting with friends and family (even if it is virtual) and also connecting with nature…all the things that give me great pleasure! I count myself as truly lucky and blessed for I get to do what I love to do!
It is my intuitive belief that we are all on an extraordinary journey, on the brink of great change for the better, and all will be well.
Exhibitions
I have been juried into a number of wonderful exhibitions this year! A first for me is American Women Artists – Making Their Mark. It was supposed to be at The Booth Museum in GA. with a whole line up of activities but now online.
To see the exhibit, click this link: https://americanwomenartists.org/exhibition/making-their-mark-american-women-artists/
American Women Artists also has a Spring online show and you can view it here:
It was fantastic to see my painting, Sunday Walk on the Pier be part of this show.
Sunday Walk on the Pier will also be included in the IAPS 2020 web show.
The International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) have 2 major exhibitions every year. It is always a thrill to show your work amongst the best pastelists in the world!
The spring show was supposed to hang in Dunedin Fine Art Center in Florida. I was thrilled to see my painting, Sunlit Flowers, get special attention from the jury.
Here’s the link: http://www.iapspastel.org/iapshow_display36t.php
American Impressionist Society, one of the most respected national art organizations in the country, will hold it’s 21st ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION on October 22 – November 21, 2020 at the Illume Gallery of Fine Art in St. George, Utah.
Opening reception Thursday, October 22, 6 to 9pm
My painting, Sunlit Flowers, will be part of this show.
Art Du Pastel – FRANCE EXHIBITION
Five of my pastel paintings have been shipped to Normandy, France to be exhibited October 3 to 25, 2020 at the Abbey of Valasse. I feel very honored to be invited as one of 6 American top pastelists to be apart of this extraordinary exhibition! Oh, how I wish I could be there in person!!
My painting, Nature’s Respite, was juried into The Pastel Society of America’s Enduring Brilliance 2020 Exhibition!
See the PSA show here: http://www.pastelsocietyofamerica.org/48th-annual-pastel-exhibition/
Nature’s Respite is also featured in “The Great American Paint In”, an online show of artists sharing their pandemic experiences.
Even though my workshops, classes and events have been cancelled, and I still have yet to figure out how I am going to do the online teaching thing, I must admit I have been enjoying my slowed down schedule and reconnecting with myself.
