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If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.    

Dr. Wayne Dyer

 

Like most of us, I have done my share of complaining about the Coronavirus lockdown.  Art shows and exhibitions that I had hoped to participate in have been cancelled or postponed.  I can’t drop by the art supply store to pick up a tube of paint.   I can’t go to public places to do plein air painting.  Art associations I belong to have cancelled their meetings.  Golf courses are closed, so I haven’t been able to play golf.  Public parks and hiking trails have been closed.  My favorite Mexican restaurant is closed (no more Margaritas!)  Can’t find toilet paper in the grocery store.  Costco isn’t even giving out samples anymore – Wha……???????

 

And then I turn on the news, and reality sets in.   I realize that I am incredibly blessed.  No one in my circle of family and friends has yet to be stricken with this deadly virus.  For now, we are all safe, so I have no real reason to complain.  I just need a change of scenery once in a while.

 

There is a silver lining to this cloud.  Being forced to stay at home results in more time.  More time means more time to paint, (always a good thing);  more time to  watch those  instructional videos I had  been intending to download and watch; more time to read, sketch,  experiment with different media, go on long hikes with my husband, organize my photos, clean my closets, etc., etc.…………  It may sound corny, but I feel a lot better when I look at this tragedy as an opportunity to pursue some things I previously just didn’t make enough time for.

 

So I ordered several weeks worth of painting supplies from my favorite art store online and got to work painting.  My yard and house have provided the subject matter I need for still lifes – lemons, kumquats, roses, trinkets and knick knacks.  My photos provided subject matter as well.  When not painting, I’ve been watching my tutorial videos and reading “The Art of Still Life”, by Todd M. Casey, (great book!).  Because the local card shops were closed, I got out my watercolor supplies and made greeting cards for family members.  It was the first time I had painted in watercolor in a few years and I enjoyed this so much, I’ll probably do more of these in the future.

 

I have also been impressed and amused by what others in the art world have been doing to fill the time. Artists are innovative people.  My plein air painting group started “Plein Air at Home” with members sharing online what they had painted in their own yards and neighborhoods.  Some of them even had pop up shows on their driveways!  The art organizations I belong to and their members shared art-related videos on Youtube, excerpts of concerts, and other entertainment.  Some art groups posted the creative activities of their members on their Instagram page.  One posting was from an artist who created a mini art gallery for her pet gerbil; another artist participated in a movement to make origami hearts to give to people who need some cheer.  Established artist/teachers have been offering their tutorial videos at a discount, or posting mini how-to clips of their processes on Instagram for free.   

 

Soon, I trust, this pandemic will end and life will return to normal. We will be able to go grocery shopping without a mask and gloves and toilet paper will fill the shelves.  Hopefully, Costco will bring back the samples.  I will have plenty of newly finished paintings and much cleaner closets. 

 

Until then, I keep reminding myself that my family and I are healthy and safe at home, and that I am fortunate to have more of that simple but precious resource – time.  Time to paint, as well as time to pursue some  other activities I would probably never have done otherwise. It’s all in how you look at it.  It keeps my spirits up and the complaints to a minimum.

 

Stay safe and well!