“Shelter-in-place”
A series about the COVID19 pandemic. April 2020.
Only You | 8.5 x 11” | oil pastel on bristol board | sold by donation
INTRODUCTION
4/14/20
Like all of us, I’ve recently been abruptly relocated to this new world of realities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It goes without saying that various facets of my life (like all of yours) have been impacted, but it’s notable to my artist statement to share specifically about how my art has been affected. The last year or so my personal artwork has majorly evolved to become acrylic paintings landscapes and flora. The paintings are an ode to the raw beauty of natural Mackinac Island and my personal response to the dialogue she has with my soul. The process of creating these works is a practice of passion.
Enter pandemic. Now being in this abruptly new environment, my normal inspirations are not flowing and I don’t want to force it. After seeking more lighthearted ways to find a creative outlet or keep artistically busy, I finally hit a fulfilling stride with my Shelter in Place series.
All sales of the series benefited the Mackinac Island Community Foundation Essential Needs Fund
ARTIST STATEMENT
The series dissects how I personally process the Shelter-in-Place government order for myself, my family and my community, my state, country, friends in far places, etc. As we are tossed around in this Sea of Unknown, reaching for stability, hopeful for closure, there is one thing that we Know we can do–– shelter in place. Quarantine. Stay home. Each citizen’s journey with his own shelter is distinct. I myself have chosen to spend the majority of my recent life in a rural area with low social exposure, time alone, and emphasis on home and nature; the ordinance itself has not drastically altered my day-to-day. Many can relate. However there are many more who are struggling with this mandate and those with personal or practical hang-ups that make this hugely challenging.
Everyone’s way of sheltering unique and the artwork acknowledges that, empathizing with the complex issues while celebrating the unity this has brought about. The series addresses the topic, from ironically challenging the executive order to commending it as a security for us to hold onto.
The artwork looks much different than my normal aesthetic. My typical paintings are an ode to the raw beauty of natural Mackinac Island and my personal response to the interchange she has with my soul. The process of creating said art is indeed a practice of passion. However this artistic practice is among the facets of my life impacted by COVID-19. The Shelter-in-Place series explores different media, perhaps representing the wave of emotions felt throughout processing the pandemic. Utilizing mixed media (such as paint, thread, magazine collage, digital alterations, etc) allows me to be more expressive as well as concise when making these statements. The series heavily relies on actual words/text for the language to the individual pieces. For me, these words serve as mantras for security as we shelter in place. They also represent persuasive headlines and context of the media. I have been moved by artists who incorporate words into their work such as @thenorthernloon @fosberg @saulgrayhildenbrand @johandeckmann @lipseymichael and more.
Shelter in _____ | 8 x 10” | mixed media on canvas panel | sold by donation
There's No Place Like Home | 8 x 10” | mixed media on canvas panel | for sale by donation
Follow the CDC Guidelines | 8 x 10” | mixed media on canvas panel | for sale by donation
Shelter How You Have To | 11 x 14” | mixed media on stretched canvas | nfs
If I Fail He Dies: Shelter in Place | digital drawings | prints for sale by donation
If I Fail He Dies: Wash Your Hands | digital drawing | prints for sale by donation
If I Fail He Dies: Work From Home | digital drawing | prints for sale by donation
If I Fail He Dies: Wear A Mark | digital drawing | prints for sale by donation
These drawings are relevant interpretations of a Red Cross recruitment poster from World War I. The intense message “If I Fail He Dies” communicates an obligation to each of us as we live amongst a novel virus. Depictions of women remain in this sub-series in order to continue the gender emphasis of the original poster while challenging classification of duties during this time.
IT’S JUST A SHOT AWAY | 11 x 14” | acrylic on canvas | for sale by donation
I feel like Keith Richards can explain this piece better than I’m able. Said Richards about the 1969 Rolling Stones song Gimme Shelter: “…Vietnam was not war as we knew it in the conventional sense. The thing about Vietnam was that it wasn't like World War II, and it wasn't like Korea, and it wasn't like the Gulf War. It was a real nasty war, and people didn't like it. People objected, and people didn't want to fight it ... That's a kind of end-of-the-world song, really. [wikipedia ]”
This piece was birthed in weepy tears as I was listening to music and Gimme Shelter came on the shuffle. I just broke down. The repetitive words are either a mantra or a protest. Within the letters I find anagrams that represent COVID19 relevant buzzwords.
A cure or vaccine for the virus… “It’s just a shot away”… which sounds so simple, which is more critical but still relative to how the concept of Sheltering in Place is so simple on paper.
The following are New Yorker cartoons reimagined in terms of the pandemic. Each is collage on 8 x 10” bristol board.
