On March 13th when “they” started shutting things down, I wasn’t feeling too affected. My life as an artist is very similar to self-quarantine and isolation. My first two paintings were of cherry trees blossoming. Being in the DC area, cherry blossom time is a big deal. “They” blocked off road access to the park where the majority of cherry trees are. Because of this, I painted ‘Cherry Trees Blossoming Unseen’.
I was disappointed that I couldn’t see the beautiful cherry trees at my son’s home. So, he sent me photos. I painted ‘The Power of Spring’.
It seemed like everything in my world had been cancelled. My 50th high-school reunion in Fargo was cancelled. A weekend plein workshop at Great Falls with Bethanne Cople was also cancelled. My family reunion and our household move to Colorado were all cancelled. Then came all the other inconveniences. We had to wear masks. Deliveries were delayed or lost. It was frustrating not knowing when we’d move. We still had to pack anyway.
The thing an artist does to combat stress is to make art. I started doodling in my sketchbooks, but the paper was too thin, too small and unfulfilling. While sorting through materials in my studio, I found some weird canvas. I had never used it because it seemed too much like paper. I cut it into thirds, each roughly measuring 36” x 30”. I also had a bag of unopened printer ink cartridges that I needed to dispose of. I wondered if it would work to break into the cartridge and get the ink out. Straight from the cartridge I was able to make satisfying marks and splotches.
It also helped to release some of the physical angst from not exercising. Next day I decided to keep experimenting with materials I never use. These materials included powdered titanium oxide. I also used bronze powdered pigments mixed with Gamblin Galkyd and walnut oil. What the heck. So glad I had my n95 mask close at hand to avoid inhalation of the toxic powders.
‘Hanging By Clothespins’ was the first of three abstracts.
I doodled and worked into it. I felt like I was making hieroglyphics. These might be found someday after the coronavirus had its way with us. I titled it ‘Hanging By Clothespins’ for one reason. That’s how I worked on it. It was a piece of unstretched canvas clothes-pinned to a u-haul box. Second the title seems to personify my state of affairs.
‘Broken Barriers’ was the second of three abstracts. It was created in response to the walks I had to take with the dog. We lived in an apartment complex with a couple hundred strangers. While my husband and I were in the category of “at risk”, we felt a daunting sense of stress. There was a constant paranoia. The dog had to go out for long walks. My beautiful Katja insisted on it, even though she has potty papers. Many people here rejected wearing masks and social distancing. This painting exemplifies our walks while dodging and trying to avoid people, whether contaminated or not by unseen viruses. Leaning towards “germaphobe”, all my barriers and my personal space were broken on these walks. It’s a strange violation, like stop sharing my air. Certainly an unhealthy feeling that adds to the sense of separation from others and one’s environment.
‘Internal Quarantine’ the third abstract in this pandemic exploration is just what it appears to be – raw emotion. I’m a bit doom-and-gloomy with a side of anger. I’m concerned with our rights and liberties being curtailed. The pandemic brought challenges like death tolls, politics, global unrest, and internal battles. It was an opportunity for everyone to self examine. We could make new choices for the future that may unite and heal us instead of divide.
I think the purpose of doodling is to get the unconscious stuff out and make new room.
Susan Krieg
susan krieg 