When we first started to social distance, I thought that my life’s changes were minor. The biggest part of my day continued to be focused on painting but without concerns about teaching and delivering paintings to shows and galleries.  Now after weeks into it, I realize my life has changed quite a bit. The subject of my paintings has quite organically taken the theme of one of my favorite places to paint and I find that I have escaped to Bald Head Island!  From my photos I am revisiting the expansive skies, the outstanding view from Captain Charlie’s Station and the glorious beaches.

I find that now I have time to watch other painters do demonstrations on the computer and to experiment with techniques and colors.  I am visiting with old friends and family more often through video chatting and phone calls.

Although at times I am eager for the isolation to end, I consider myself too fortunate to complain.  My husband of 45 years and I laugh throughout the day. I have wonderful neighbors with whom I occasionally chat.  I can take walks, bike, weed in our flower beds and there is plenty of time to explore new dinner dishes knowing I will find a continuous array of food from our supermarkets.

I am keenly aware that life is not like this everywhere and that many people are very fearful.  Although I feel I am living in a bubble, I am following the news and the virus information closely and am very attentive to how our world’s story and the local narrative are unfolding.