Emerging From Confinement

As I sit here in my studio it dawns on me that it’s been a year since news of the Covid-19 virus spread just as fast as the illness itself, and we were all sequestered in place. Like most of my friends and family I was pretty frightened by the thought of a scary Spring plague running rampant through humanity. My husband and I considered ourselves lucky to have both our daughters living back at home. Home is a safe place and it relieved this momma’s heart to have her family together during this time. Unbeknown to us, it would be a very long time in isolation from the rest of the world. You see; I have asthma and a fairly poor track record of contracting bronchitis. No way do I want to have a battle with Covid. We also learned that there were to be some medical challenges our daughter would face during this time. That’s her story to tell, so no details from me. Needless to say, we weren’t going to mess around with risking exposure.

What does this have to do with my life as an artist? Plenty. With the restrictions and reality of this new way of life I found a new sense of determination in my creative process. Gone were distractions such as visits to the hair salon, grocery shopping, running mindless errands, meetings, etc. (My hair hasn’t been this long since high school.) With the exception of the occasional off day; I’ve always been pretty disciplined in producing my work. Now I had no excuses not to create. I had all the time in the world. No distractions. I was free! I could focus even more intently on projects I’ve always wanted to work on. My studio is in my home so every morning I’d jump out of bed, get ready and paint the day away. And then things changed again.

We needed to make space for the arrival of our first grandchild!! Don’t even get me started on how scary it is to be pregnant during this pandemic! I’m trying to focus on the positive here. Our daughter would move into the family room (AKA my studio) and we would renovate a new space for my studio. Easier said than done.

We hired a contractor, and after two and a half weeks of watching our garage be transformed; I have the best studio ever. We installed a mini split HVAC system, added insulation to the walls and ceiling, hung new drywall, installed amazing LED overhead lighting, installed an art rail hanging system, sealed and painted the floor, fresh paint on walls and ceilings. It took me a week to move my studio supplies and equipment into the new space. Hanging my art without having to pound nails into the walls was wonderful. I now have a much larger space to work in, with room enough for a little retail display. Can I just say, “OMG I love it!”

Each day is a blessing and I am filled with thankfulness for the love and support of my family. They encourage me and frequently pop in to see what’s happening in my studio. I never realized before how much I was distracted by being in the family living space of our home. Too easy to get distracted and pulled away from my work. I get more done in this space over the course of a day than I ever did before. It’s amazing what a little focus can do.

With Spring around the corner and vaccinations more readily available, I’m looking forward to emerging from the confinement of the past year. I long to see my friends in person not just via Zoom. I’m planning several, limited attendance, invitation only New Studio Open House(s) in the Spring. Keep an eye out for your invitation.

Enchanted Willow

You know when you’re a kid how everything seems so big? Well when I was a little girl we had a huge willow tree in our backyard. Huge in every sense of the word; so huge that my sister and two brothers and I could not “hug the tree” unless we were all holding hands in a circle around it. Really, it was seriously that big. It had branches that would hang down to the ground. We’d play under it’s shady canopy all summer. I’m not sure when it happened, but my Dad built us a treehouse up in it’s branches. It seems to have always been there, complete with a trap door, ladder and tire swing hanging below.

Oh the joy of having a treehouse! It was where I could escape into a world of make believe filled with fairies, monsters, dragons, and cute little creatures. We’d spend hours up there, having all sorts of childhood adventures. The freedom to daydream and imagine these worlds and creatures has always stayed with me. Playtime should not be reserved only for children. As an adult I find the ability to play and imagine to be a continuing place of growth and comfort. As an artist it feeds that part in me that needs the outlet for creativity. I’m thankful it continues to nourish my life and artwork.

So I share with you the latest piece of artwork from my Treehouse Series. It’s title, “Enchanted Willow” it is on a stretched 16 x 40 x 1 inch gallery wrapped canvas. Painted in acrylics it’s filled with images inspired by one of my childhood adventures. There is a dragon in the painting and she’s based on a real person. I won’t tell you who (yet), but I will tell you the dragon’s name is Gemini. She’s fierce and protective, and she has always confused the hell out of me. But, that I believe is a story to be told another day.

This painting is available for purchase through the Shop link on my website www.evahunterart.com please consider adding this fine art painting to your collection.