Hope for Despairing Times

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I’m sure I am not alone.

I get easily overwhelmed by watching the news. I am trying to keep a balance between being informed and being overly obsessive following the latest news and hype. We’ve watched the coverage of COVID-19 and overnight have turned into germaphobes. Before when my husband came home I would give him a quick kiss and hug. Now I ask if he has remembered to wash his hands, and then I disinfect the doorknob he touched. It’s a new protocol —we wash our hands immediately upon entering the house.

We live in scary times.

It is a good time to go into the studio. That is how I usually cope with my feelings of anxiety. Time for art to do its job. To focus, to heal to give me hope.

I get lost in the studio. I am only thinking of what is at hand, of the next stroke, is this the right colour?

Yet when I am at my easel I can’t help but think of those bigger questions. How do we spend our time under the skies I paint? How do we build community? How do we choose to live?

We’ve been told to limit our time out in groups. We are learning new protocols about distancing ourselves physically from each other. But I think now is the time to also connect and support each other.

For example today I looked up from my coffee to see the neighbour boy snow blowing out our driveway. My husband just asked for our neighbour’s emails so that he can send them a text. He wanted to reach out to them, to let them know that we can support each other. I am thankful for the fantastic paintings I am seeing on facebook.

My art class will soon be on a break. I’m considering an online class so that we can stay in touch and make sure each other is okay. I’ll let you know about that as soon as I’ve figured it out.

It’s time to pick up the phone or facetime with family and friends.

We live in scary times. But we can’t do this alone. Now is the time for us to rise above the fear and truly try to connect with others. That might mean the hugs I want to give you all are on a bit of sabbatical, but I can find other ways to connect.

Stay safe.

Wishing you health.

Go do something creative!

Wash your hands.

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Zooming into Art Classes….

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What it means to create