Kayla Meisner 2020 Greensboro NC "The Three Plagues"
Pneumonic plague- color pencil
Bubonic plague- micron pen, white charcoal, and color pencil
Septicemic plague- watercolor pencil and white acrylic
14"x14" tan paper
image roughly 8"x8"
The Three Plagues is a piece consisting of three replicas of the same image using different mediums I had readily available in my home. Each piece is named for the three types of plagues of the Black Death, Bubonic, Septicemic, and Pneumonic, all caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. While remaining in my home, I only left for necessities and refrained from seeing family and friends, important connections that I certainly took for granted. Days rapidly blended together and recognizing what day it was became impossible without checking my phone. Only minor changes and differences within the days existed, similar to the images depicted in all three pieces.
Watching the news I opened myself up to the worries of the world and allowed the experience of others on the television to guide my own and increase my anxieties and cause excruciating panic attacks. An expected fixation I developed was the comparison of these modern unprecedented times to events throughout history. I've always had a love for history and even decided to make a career out of it. My ability to make sense of the past comforts me about the future and symbols of past atrocities became a beacon of hope for me that things will pass and this will eventually become a part of history.
A connection in history I made was the use of modern surgical and cloth masks equating to the masks used by plague doctors. Stuffed in the beak were usually herbs and flowers such as roses and juniper to mask the smell of death that permeated the air. Ironically similar flower patterns cover our modern masks in an attempt to personalize the new mandatory accessory.
Rats throughout history have a bad reputation of being greasy, dirty, and disease ridden animals. Their connection associated with the Black Death and the role they had to play in the spread of the disease adds to this personification. However, my relationship with the animals creates a vastly different interpretation of what I chose to depict. I have two emotional support rats that have provided immense amounts of comfort and distraction from the pandemic. Their abundance of love and playfulness continue to aid me in times of distress while reminding me to be open minded and non judgemental.
The color scheme manifested in the red roses, the white rat, and blue juniper berries can symbolize both the unity and division felt across the United States. For a while there was unity in the fact that this was not a single nation dealing with this virus but a globe, we as a species were united. This quickly soured as disagreements of how things were handled and plans for the future erupted creating sides. These sides continue to create division and in desperation to return things to the way they were may prove to be more catastrophic, further planting this moment in history.
The Three plagues represents the anguish and joy felt during my time in quarantine and the turbulent future that has been stirred by this new obstacle. However, I am hopeful we will eventually overcome this, just like atrocities in the past. This event can promote change and progress and alert us of weaknesses and susceptible communities present within our society. We cannot allow this moment in history to fall on deaf ears.
Sarah Artz
Photograph 2020
Durham NC
This is a sculpture located At Durham Central Park in my community. My employer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU, has taken care of this garden for many years. This reminds me of how important friends and family are and especially during this difficult time. This is a great place to go to help relieve stress❤️
Catherine Deaton
Encaustic
2020
Greensboro NC
I love traveling and go somewhere new and exciting every summer. This year was to be a road trip through Iceland as my honeymoon. Sadly my trip was canceled. So I started looking through old photos and found a picture from when I was on a boat off the coast of Thailand sailing through the PiPi Islands. I can remember the sun on my face and the dusting of raindrops in my hair from the incoming monsoon. I remember laughing with my friend and our captain about the monkeys on an island we had just visited who stole my Pepsi (monkeys are jerks) and then the sky went completely black. The rain came in so hard we had to cover ourselves in towels to stop the beating of our skin. I could see red welts with every drop that pierced through the boat's bimini top. The boat rocked violently and we held on tight to each other and our belongings. The boat began to flood. We tried to hold things up from the water but between the rocking of the boat and strong wind, it was impossible. So I grabbed my camera (I had my very expensive Nikon with me) and shoved it under my shirt to try to cover it. The ship's first mate tried to make jokes to put us at ease and somehow in this terrifying situation, I found myself laughing. And just like that, the storm ended and the sun came out again. If you've never been through a real monsoon it is truly something. This was not my first or my last experience with such as this since we spent 2 days on the water in the South China Sea. I took my camera out to find only a drop or two of water on it. I took a photo of the now calm waters and sky and the bespeckled islands that now stretched out in front of us. There are still stray raindrops hitting the water.
I decided a few weeks ago that I needed to keep my mind challenged during this time. I was spending far too much time binging on Netflix (thanks a lot tiger king) or I found my self obsessing over the news. I watched the death and infection rates rise, state closings increase, and I couldn't stop watching. So I needed a distraction. I decided to order an encaustic kit online. Encaustic is painting with hot wax. It is an ancient art form that goes back centuries. It is not often taught as it is incredibly dangerous. But when you've got nothing else to do, why not take a risk? I decided to do an encaustic painting of this picture from the South China Sea. I did it unconsciously but when I was done I was telling my fiance the story of the picture and his exact words were "it was the calm after the storm." I had to cancel my wedding a few days prior to making this art and somehow I think my soul reached out to this memory, this moment in time, to remind me about the calm after the storm. I'd spent weeks stressing out over canceling *MY WEDDING* which is why I obsessed over the news. I was looking for ways to still have this event. I was so sad seeing there was no hope which is why I couldn't turn away from the hilarity (and audacity) of the Tiger King. And when I turned to art for comfort I was unknowingly reminded to be hopeful. This storm, this pandemic, will pass too. You simply need a captain to keep you steady and a first mate to keep you laughing. So here is what I painted....in thick layers of hot wax. I got a few burns. But it is my picture of hope remembered.
Frederick 2020 photography Jamestown NC This rainbow is from one of my granddaughters and the writing is back of page signature of artist.
She was thinking about wife and I and drew for us....several of our grandchildren have posted for us on facebook. Many of our extended family have posted pictures on Facebook not just for us but for all to enjoy.
Michael Messer Greensboro NC This is a piece called “Descendants of Cain” that I’ve shared before. I’m picking it for this project because of the concept behind it, and how that concept can be read in a new light given current events.
I read Daniel Quinn’s “Ishmael” a few years back. I’m big into the subject of anthropology and human evolution. That book completely changed my life in how I view the world and our place in it as a dominant species. It really lays out the laws of nature by which all species live, and how they apply to humans (despite our thinking to the contrary).
The art that came from this book was originally centered on the idea of the agricultural revolution and the way we carried our cultures and philosophies across the globe just as we carried our agricultural tools, in order to shape the world to our will and to put a narrative to the act of shaping it.
Now we are grappling with the notion of ourselves as a quite different sort of carrier, and grappling with the evolutionary power of disease that’s going to shape us, especially culturally, into new territory.
It’s frightening. It’s one thing to read about in the abstract, and another to do direct battle with on a daily basis. Of all the disasters I’ve come to believe my generation would bear witness, disease was low on my priority list.
But despite the talk of doom and gloom that we face daily, the world itself is thriving. Whatever battles we face, we’ll fight them as birds continue to sing and flowers continue to bloom and seasons change. Even within the shadow of death (which lately seems a little darker, a little more real than it was before), life is constantly going on in a state of new birth.
Even if we fall as a dominant species, from this or whatever new calamity, life will go on. And it will be beautiful, regardless of who is there to witness its beauty. And even though it seems that we’ve done a lot of damage to the web of life, in the long run we’ve only altered it temporarily. On the scale of geologic time, the scale of which evolution’s work is best viewed, our changes are a noticeable blip on the radar, but not the end of everything. Whatever comes after us will have been shaped by us, and that will be our legacy.
Leigh Ann Fritts marker 2020 Winston-Salem NC I use art to relieve stress.
Title: “In Sickness and in Health”
Embroidery: Carly Wooten - https://www.carlyannewooten.com
Mask Assembly: Sarah Steele
When the pandemic first started, there was much confusion around masks. In many East Asian countries, wearing a mask is seen as a normal item to add to your wardrobe for the good of public heath. Wearing a mask in America, however, has made many uneasy because it is something different. Despite it being for the common good, it is hard to establish a new habit, especially when there is fear involved.
A way to combat this is to transform masks into an item that you want to wear by turning them into a beautiful item. Masks are associated with doctors, needles, and sickness. But what if we associated them with fashion, beauty, and style? What if a mask became something that you were excited to wear everyday?
For this mask, which I created for Catherine Deaton’s exchanging of rings, there is a balance between beauty and fear, love and grief. The flowers embroidered on the mask, marigolds and roses, were thought to be cures for the plague in 1665. The Victorian practice of Floriography, or the “language of flowers,” relates roses to “happiness, grace, desire, and mourning." Marigolds are related to "grief, despair, affection, and pretty love.” The beauty of the flowers along with the solemness of their meaning are meant to remind the viewer that it is ok to be sad about this changing world. Nonetheless, humanity continues to find beauty.
Washington D.C.
Cassidy Reid
'Nightmare', watercolor, charcoal, marker, and red fabric on watercolor paper. 2020
This picture is to encompass the emotions that I feel during this crisis.
The spiral in the background is to symbolize both the monotonous passage of days, and the hypnotizing effect the news has had on me- who is to be believed? What are we to believe? I'm not sure, and I don't want to be pulled in by the dubious promises of safety, nor the uncertain promise of death. The characters written in the spiral are questions, prayers, worries and thoughts I've been having- all written in Chinese, to symbolize where the virus originated. "What will happen to us? Will my loved ones be saved? God, please help us. I don't want to die". A gray hand covered in scratches represents not only the hand of fate, but my own hands. With all of the hand washing and contact with water, I have developed pompholyx on my hands, causing painful blisters filled with water to appear and burst open, causing cracks and sores to bleed and leak excess fluids. The small white faces with terrifying teeth and smiles represent the virus itself. The virus acts without mercy, and it has no qualms about hurting others- making me view them as giddy beasts who would love to encroach upon my body. The curtains, made of red sheer, represent the fact that none of this feels real. Like a movie, or a play, that just doesn't seem to end.
My inspiration for this piece was not only from my own feelings, but from one of my favorite shows: Puella Magi Madoka Magica, a show where girls with magical powers have to find and destroy witches in their labyrinths, which is what this piece takes some inspiration from. The dadaist style of the labyrinths inspired me to make cut outs and glue them onto the paper with hot glue, to give the picture a 3D effect. The use of cloth was also inspired from the show, giving the picture a more unique feel.
Carina Meadows 2020 Winston-Salem NC This final piece was completed on canvas with acrylic paint.
During these few months in Quarantine I've taken a liking to plants and growing things, and just trying to hold out with all the stuff going on outside, like an Octopus has eight arms is sometimes how it can feel with school, and hobbies, and life.
Ragan Ellington 2020 For my art through a pandemic drawing I choose to draw a portrait of my niece with a mask on. The reason for choosing this is because it breaks my heart for that even she has to go into this world having to wear a mask to keep her safe. I feel like when we go out we are having to hide from the world. We have to stay in our house to keep us safe and then wear mask over our mouths and nose to keep us safe. It makes me feel like we have to hide from this world through all of this to keep us safe. And the reason for choosing my niece is because this was her first year of kindergarten, her first steps to her education for her future career. Some of her first big steps into the world. And she had it all taken away from her because of this pandemic. I want to show her that she doesn’t have to feel hidden in this world and that she can express her self in many way just like how I did through art. And to show her no matter what, to look at all the good through all of this. And no matter how crazy things are and how scary this situation can be right now to keep her head held high and to keep chasing her dreams!!
Betsy and Catherine Deaton
Watercolor
1993ish-2020
Greensboro NC
During this pandemic, my family dynamic has changed. For anyone who knows me, you know my 90-year-old grandmother “Nannie” is a big part of my life. Everyone has heard at least one “Nannie story” and she has become a legend in my classroom. Her voicemails are famous and her hugs are the best. Her syrupy-sweet southern accent is legendary. She made the difficult but necessary decision to move to a retirement home early this year. On a few occasions during this pandemic, my parents have needed my help moving Nannie’s belongings. As an artist herself, her home was filled with canvases, frames, drawings, and paints. Many of her works we found were left unfinished. I decided to keep a few of these. I wasn’t sure why at the time. I had kept several finished paintings that now hang beautifully in my home. But these unfinished ones that now littered my kitchen table kept calling to me. When I decided to start this collective art project I reflected on what this pandemic meant to me. I kept coming back to these unfinished works. My grandmother is the only grandparent I have known. In the last few years, we had a monthly date of driving to Winston-Salem on Sunday’s to eat lunch and go shopping. Ice cream and sugar cakes were almost always involved. These were always such fun times full of stories and laughter. I have seen my grandmother once during this pandemic-from a distance across a room. Not one hug in months. For her, it has been hard too. She is a fiercely independent woman who thrives on social activity. Now she is alone in an unfamiliar place. But then again….many of us feel that way right now. So I while I mulled over what should be my contribution to this project my mother handed me an unfinished painting of a large magnolia by Nannie. My grandmother has always loved magnolias and recently told me they were the only flower she had at her wedding. As I thought about what to do for my piece of art, this magnolia painting was sitting next to my now abandoned bridal bouquet of peonies in front of me. My wedding has been postponed for an entire year due to this pandemic. Much like this art, my big day is left unfinished. And with that, I started to lightly sketch in the peonies in my bouquet behind the magnolia that my grandmother has started. What if I finished her work with my own? So…what does my pandemic art represent? Two artists: related. Two bridal floral artworks: related. One FINISHED composition helping me stay connected.
Josh Kyre Pastel 2020 Winston-Salem NC My thoughts on making this piece of art are by what I say by the meaning of light is we should all come together to plan a way of making a positive difference to covid-19 and this will show way we care to do something about it or make sense on how this might take time to get rid of and but I will say I've seen the people who are struggling with this virus and I've talked to some of my friends who had family member that got the virus and are now no longer with them and so I see that as sad thing to see and but overall I want to see a change after this year and years forward but all we can do is hope that we get rid of the virus some this year or beginning of next year
Sharai Davis 2020 Acrylic Winston Salem NC This is the first art work I have done so far I call it star shopping . I have recently been outside more which has helped me because it is calm and peaceful and I usually don’t get to go outside during the day because of school.
Stefani Grace 2020 photography Glendora California Having a baby is a whole new learning experience as it is, but being quarantined at home with your new little human is a whole new level of fun. We get up at the crack of dawn, we make coffee, and then we play toys. If it wasn’t for this shelter in place order in California I wouldn’t have had this chance to really slow down and watch Madix experience life. I will remember this time as a blessing. This photo is part of my photo series “Lockdown Mornings with MAD”. I began this series when California started its shelter in place order. It gives me a chance to control one thing in my daily life.
Amanda Myers Photography Winston-Salem NC 2020
Regardless of what is going on in the world, I have ALWAYS LOVED BUTTERFLIES. Watching them flutter around without a care in the world from one beautiful flower to the next quenching their thirst with sweet nectar has often brought peace and beauty to many of my spring and summer days. But NOW more than ever, during the midst of this pandemic, the butterfly's journey symbolizes a change that must happen deep within, a new beginning. Like this butterfly that underwent an elaborate transformation from a caterpillar, after a time spent practicing patience, lots of patience, it appeared at the peak of spring when the new buds began to bloom on my daughter's tree. The tree always blooms right around Easter, yet another confirmation of a deep change and a new beginning. During this time it has not been easy. My thoughts as an expectant mother welcoming our 3rd addition, our 3rd "Ray fo Sunshine" as we like to say, during a time when so much is unknown has honestly been just plain scary. But with this image I captured of this radiant butterfly, I see hope for a new beginning. To stop, reset, rest, prepare, and allow this time to transform and change me and my family for the better is much like the caterpillar transforming in its chrysalis. We will soon be a family of five and now is not the time to allow this situation, this pandemic, to overcome us with pain, sorrow, and fear. Now is the time to take it all in stride much like the butterfly often has too when it must allow the wind to take it to the next flower. It HAS NOT been easy but with trying to practice patience, like the butterfly, doing the best we can under these trying circumstances, and trying to prepare for a better day I am hopeful that we will come out transformed for a new purpose. I am hopeful for a new beginning when we welcome our new addition and I am well aware that as this season of life passes, this butterfly will continue to remind me that change is ongoing. New beginnings happen all the time and how we handle the changes and situations helps to shape us, for worse, but hopefully more often than not, for the better.
Tessa and Amanda Myers 2020 Mixed Media Winston-Salem NC For my girls this pandemic has meant being at home all day with me. When the work is done it means we get OUTSIDE to play. Here are their finished products after going on a nature collection for materials. Tessa's art teacher, Mrs. Mendenhall, assigned this project modeling after the story "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert. Tessa and Leah LOVED the nature walk BUT also thoroughly enjoyed using their imaginations to recreate and repurpose the natural materials around them. ART is everywhere! I LOVED watching them use their imaginations and was impressed with their creativity.
Sharai Davis 2020 Winston-Salem NC I did this drawing because this man , Gustav Åhr, has helped many people get through rough times through his music, his music is inspiring and uplifting in sad times like this pandemic , his music has been helping me through all of this and I would like to share this amazing music artist with you.
Marya Sorn 2020 Painting Greensboro NC On the right is the original photo of my cousin, Piseth Chann, at a beach in Indonesia. He is an international student who wasn't able to fly back home on time before the government shut down the airport. I decided on this picture of him because he is adventurous and loves to travel to different places. But that all changed because of this pandemic. He is currently living in an apartment by himself as most of the other international students had left. We often check in on him through Facebook messenger and would notice how he is online even when it is late at 4 AM (Indonesia time). This pandemic had caused him a lot of stress and that had lead to the disruption of his sleeping schedule and he even gained a few pounds. He said that he misses home and feels lonely at times. Nevertheless, he spends most of his time watching the news and have posted many opinions on Facebook of the way the Indonesian government is handling this pandemic. To reduce stress, he makes small trips outside to buy food and restock some necessities. He had also started doing small exercises to keep himself healthy. When I thought of what to paint for this project, I immediately thought about him because, as a college student, I know of many international students that were forced to find other living arrangements as they were neglected by their university and weren't able to fly back home on time. I wanted to include his original picture because it is an artwork itself. In the picture, he is staring off into the sunset with rays of light hitting him at just the perfect moment. To me, those rays of sunlight represent hope. Through these difficult times, we will always find a way to overcome our struggles. It can also go with the popular saying, "There's a light at the end of the tunnel." This is my first attempt at making art after 2 years of neglect, so in a way, I am also reconnecting with myself. It's not the best of my ability, but I will find my way back at the end of the tunnel. :)
Chloe Koper 2020 Winston-Salem NC During quarantine, I have been doing all kinds of different art. I have been exploring all kinds of new styles, such as the splatter paint art. I have done all kinds of splatter paint art before. This one is by far the best one I ever did. The other art I created was the moon. This was the first time I ever tried to paint the moon. I wanted to do the moon because every night when the moon is out, my family and I go outside to admire it. Unfortunately, since it has been raining, we could not go outside to look at the moon, so I decided to paint it. I hope you enjoy my Pandemic Art project.
Lane Shore 2020 I have chosen a picture of my skateboard. When I am on my board I can turn up some music and tune out everything else.It becomes just me and the board. I can push myself ( mind and body) to new limits and do new tricks and stunts. Some people are choosing to watch the endless cycle of news and study the number of cases growing daily.Others are arming themselves in gloves and masks and searching empty shelves for toilet paper and cleaning supplies. I see the need for concern but I refuse to give in to fear.I have placed my faith in God and so I spend my time not panicked but rather skateboarding.
Macy Pierce 2020 I decided to do something different that I wouldn’t normally do. I wanted to represent that even in dark times, Artists and those with an appreciation for art can flourish during this time and create something beautiful. I hope you like it!
Alyssia "Gracie" Jackson 2020
This is a piece I’ve been working on for a while . It’s two characters from a tv show called Rick & Morty , it’s very popular to kids my age . Art is a coping skill I use to relieve stress & something to focus my mind on . This pandemic hasn’t been easy being stuck in the house for so long , & art helped me use my time to do something I enjoy .
Sara Jilcott 2020 I made this piece in response to the current Black Lives Matter movement.
Avery Davis
Latex Paint
2020
Winton-Salem NC
Hi Ms. Deaton, I wanted to say thank you for the email you sent out today and that it's the first email from any of my teachers that expressed someone else going through and experiencing the same things I am right now. I don't know if this will qualify for the final project at all but recently me and my mom moved out of our apartment and into a house. My mom gave me permission to paint whatever I wanted on one of my walls. So part of yesterday and all of today painted the night sky and a few constellations on my bedroom wall. For me, the night sky has always calmed me and gave me a source of stability because even though the stars are so far away and constantly changing, they give me a sense of calm and hope because no matter what happens here, the stars will always be there, shining bright, even if I can't see them.
Gracelyn McCutchen
Photography
2020
Winston-Salem NC
I chose this photograph to represent me during this pandemic because when my friend and I went to this lake in Apex for a camping trip it felt like all my worries went away and it was very calming and relaxing.
Felicity Barber
Mixed Media
2020
Winston-Salem NC
Here's some of the stuff I've been working on during quarantine. The three drawings are fan art that I've done for three of my favorite YouTuber's channel profiles: Bazamalam (Green), 8-BitRyan (Blue), and Razzbowski (Purple).
Lexi Allison 2020 Marker Winston-Salem NC Hey Ms. Deaton. I was looking at the email you sent out about the pandemic art and thought this would represent what I have been doing in this time of hard ship. My mawmaw recently asked me if I would design a little bag for my great grandmother who is in the nursing home for mother’s day so we could put her gift inside. She gave me a blank bag, which allowed me to use my creativity. During this pandemic I have relied on art to keep me sane and concentrated since our normal lives were turned upside down !
Carlee Farlow Drawing 2020
Winston Salem NC I've been playing volleyball for 6 years now, so it's a big part of who I am. I decided to draw my jersey from this club season that was sadly cut short due to the coronavirus. Playing volleyball has always allowed me to express myself and meet new friends. Volleyball has taught me how to communicate with others and work alongside them. This season was probably the best season I have ever experienced and I wish it could have lasted longer.
Felicity Barber 2020 Winston-Salem NC Through this whole process of self-isolating, I have learned more about myself as an artist than I have in my entire life. What these pieces represent are time and patience. Maybe not for the photo board's painted background, but the images that are tacked to it. The rest are strictly time and patience filled, requiring countless amounts of effort that I didn't know I had. Time and patience also relate to the life we are having to live at the moment. For some, it may not be as difficult. But to most of the people around the world (including those who are fighting for their lives), it's a struggle. But we need to remember that we are not alone in this world. Sure we have each other, but there's one being who fights for us no matter what-- an entity with the power to calm the oceans in the strongest storms. That deity is the Holy Spirit and he has called to many-- kids and adults alike. In this time that we are separate, most Christ-followers are showing massive partnership with the Lord, so that he has given us a new light for us to look forward to. He is asking for your time; to know that he is with you and he will fight for you. He is asking for your patience to remind you that most things won't occur with the snap of a finger or the click of a button. He is asking you to be still; to be patient for the outcome, as I had to be with my artwork. Things won't happen without effort and that, in my eyes, is divided into two parts: Time and patience.
Amanda and Leah Myers 2020 Mixed Media For my girls this pandemic has meant being at home all day with me. When the work is done it means we get OUTSIDE to play. Here are their finished products after going on a nature collection for materials. Tessa's art teacher, Mrs. Mendenhall, assigned this project modeling after the story "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert. Tessa and Leah LOVED the nature walk BUT also thoroughly enjoyed using their imaginations to recreate and repurpose the natural materials around them. ART is everywhere! I LOVED watching them use their imaginations and was impressed with their creativity.
Leigh Ann Fritts Oil Painting 2020 Winston-Salem NC I paint for Mind clearing/peacefulness
Sharai Davis 2020 Winston-Salem NC
This art piece is similar to the first one I did but I personally think I was happier when I did this piece because all the colors represent emotions ,emotions during this pandemic. I have noticed more people have been sad and art is a nice way to get away from that. Thank you Ms.Deaton for this opportunity to get our artwork out there to inspire other people to do art of their own .
Photographer Alexandra Baker, alaybakerphoto on Instagram
Creating these photos are a way for me to document my everyday experience and explore what it means to be in isolation. As I continue to work on these images, I’m thinking about how tangible the outside world is but how we are confined to our homes.
Winston-Salem NC
Rachel Vannoy 2020 Winston-Salem Attached is my pandemic art project. I decided to do the project when my 3 year old cousin came over. She told me she wanted to draw so I figured it was a good idea to go ahead and do my project. The reason I chose to do a child's drawing is because this represented art during the pandemic best for me. Me and Elaina (her name) had not seen each other for around a month and a half until she came over today. It felt so good to see her, and it made my heart happy. It was so fun to make art with her, I enjoyed watching her little brain work. Seeing Elaina made me think of how important it is to spend time with your family while you can, especially during times like these. I think our artwork represents time spent with family, and how if you have your family, you will always be okay.
Allie Payne 2020 paint This is the way I feel in quarantine i miss the outside and the single flower is how I feel being all alone in my house.
Sara Jilcott 2020 I was debating on whether or not I could make a piece of art that could resemble what I’ve felt during the pandemic. I’ve lost all motivation and every time I try to make a piece of art it never comes out the way I want it to. Despite these feelings, I felt I should do something. Although it is small and not very detailed I feel as though it’s a good representation. It is a dark piece, literally and metaphorically. During the pandemic I have become depressed and have spent my days in my room, in the dark. The blur of the world outside represents how I have no concept of time while in my room. I sit in a chair or lay in my bed and watch the days go by. I feel nothing and find comfort in my depression. These past few days I have been getting out more and more. I’ve been gradually getting better. I’m trying to stay positive. At first it was rough but I feel like as time goes by it will get better. I know I’m not the only one who has felt this way during this time. I used to hate the saying “you are not alone” but I want people to know just that. I’ve dealt with depression in the past and I know others who have as well. In times like these where it is easy just to spend your days laying in bed and wallow in your thoughts, you have to force yourself to not conform to those negative thoughts. You have to force yourself to get up and do at least one thing. Do something that you love that will get your mind off those negative thoughts. I hope at least one person can relate to this piece and the meaning behind it. Thank you.
Cecil Hairston 2020 I chose this piece because I like the sunsets and water and I can picture myself sitting in the piece watching it.
Landrie Stephenson 2020 This beach scene is a calm reminder of what what happens when life stills itself. Nature is a constant through it all and a place where everyone can get peace and serenity through these uncertain times.