Wow, it’s been a minute since I have had time to sit down, and feel in the right headspace to write a blog post.

2020. The year that has felt like whiplash. A year where I hope a more united front as well as more empathy and love will be felt worldwide. It is a year and a time none of us will ever forget. I have trusted the whole time, that during this period of struggle, heartache, grieving, uncertainty, and fear would also provide us with changes that we have inevitably needed for quite a long time. Changes that will make us more loving, patient, and grateful. It is often only when things are taken away from us, that we see how blessed we have been. The universal gratitude and awareness of being present is a huge gift. And for those who are able to have spent more time with loved ones, it’s easy to see that that time may never be given to us again.

I spent most of the quarantine balancing being active, meditating, chatting with friends and trying to be productive on personal artwork that I felt inspired to do. As well as teaching a free online workshop. I had hopes I could do some good with this time to spread more of the creativity of healing into the lives of those who were searching for it. I also had freelance commercial work. It was a bit harder to be inspired on that front, as everything was so up in the air constantly. And I was seeing that the constant work work work attitude would push me to burn out faster if I was not careful. I think as an artist so often when I am truly inspired I play off that high energy, or the rich, emotions I am feeling and I get the paint out and go for it. And when I am not inspired I do my best to step away and take a nap, go for a walk or take a long bubble bath.

Self Isolation, mixed media on canvas paper.

Even with all that balance I was trying to have it seemed inevitable that working for 3 months without any real vacation or excuse to take a solid break and put boundaries in place would catch up to me. And let’s face it I have been working non-stop for over a year with little to no vacation except the holiday season. So these last few weeks I have made a concerted effort to sleep in a little later, take naps, go on longer walks and lay out in the park. Just do things that I know give me time and space to be quiet and heal.

It seems as though the energy in the world is overall very sad, and lost. And rightfully so. My heart aches for those who are hurting. It’s hard because I am not one to take in every energy I see as I am a HUGE EMPATH so I have had to create my own force field of energy. To keep me centered and able to help others through my art and my character.

All that being said, we are all doing our best to make sense of this. Whether you have found yourself depleted of energy and not able to get out of bed, or you are being super productive and creative…we all understand. And I think everyone has done a really good job of getting through this. Progress is being made. People are using their voice and platforms more than ever. I will always choose to focus on the good. Because it feels better for my mental health, and I prefer to be hopeful and do what I can to share the best art I can to help myself heal, as well as others.

Below are some of the artworks I have created during this time. It started with a self-isolation series, to then me longing for summery days at the beach, to now more African American inspired artworks. My art has always been like an open diary and reflects my mood or current experience. And I think now, I have an audience that understands that more than ever, and for that I am GRATEFUL.

Sunshine on my Shoulders, mixed media on paper.

Sunshine Ahead, mixed media on canvas paper.

Contemplating Summer, mixed media on canvas paper.

Hang Tight, mixed media on canvas paper.

Swimming in Serenity, mixed media on canvas paper.

Beach Bumming, mixed media on canvas paper.

All Wrapped Up, mixed media on canvas paper.

Looking for Hope, mixed media on canvas paper.