In March 2020, when the pandemic began, I was overwhelmed by the haunting images of empty streets and public places around the world — particularly in Italy.
I realized that, in addition to isolation, there were also environmental, political, historical and spiritual issues I wanted to develop into a visual narrative. I began what is turning out to be a “Coronavirus Series” of mixed-media collages (above).
The series is still in progress, but I hope to include it as part of AVA Gallery’s Solo Exhibitions this summer. It’s still to be determined if this will work out, but I welcome the idea of sharing art inspired by the pandemic now.
On a more personal note, as we all know, milestone celebrations are being spent quite differently during this pandemic, and sometimes for the better.
Our 49th wedding anniversary last July was one of our best — simple but joyful.
We celebrated by going blueberry picking in Enfield, came back home with plenty of luscious wild blueberries, froze most of them, and saved the best for a blueberry pie for our celebratory anniversary home-cooked dinner. With all the excess lavished on weddings and other events, our little celebration seemed just right.
My husband and I are so grateful that we could revel in nature and the joy of being together. We can only hope our 50th will be as wonderful, and now that we are so accustomed to Zoom, it might also include a family gathering as well.
Elizabeth D’Amico lives in Springfield, N.H.
‘Painting for pleasure’
I went back to painting (see three examples below) to relieve the stress of single life and find a lost enjoyment — painting for pleasure when “home alone.”
Pete Rickards lives in White River Junction.
I am not a singer and have never written songs before, but quarantine pushed me back toward music, which I loved as a kid.
After taking Pocket Songs and a songwriting class, both online through the Upper Valley Music Center, I began singing in the comfort and privacy of my bedroom. I have now written 15 songs so far and share them with family and close friends whom I can no longer see regularly.
Songwriting helps me process emotions, chronicle my experiences and express the creative side of my brain, which had been dormant for decades.
Here are the lyrics to a song called Hope that I wrote just the other day. It mentions the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine. among other things.
Hope
Hope is a nightlight in a pitch black room
a pipedream that’s starting to come true
The smell of fresh cut flowers in the dead of winter
Moonbeams reflecting on a river
Chorus:
You only need a little bit
to change your perspective
You only need a little bit
To turn your world around
So surround
yourself with whispers
of hope
Playing music with you in perfect sync
The first daffodil popping up in the spring
Helium balloons flying up to heaven
Breathtaking views from Cardigan Mountain
(Chorus)
A conversation that touches your heart
A teenager who gets her license and a car
a second wind after running that first mile
Covid vaccines on their way to arrive
(Chorus)
Jenny Voelker lives in Hanover.
I’m a 3D sculptor and creator of many of the characters in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales video game. Last year was challenging for all, but I’m grateful it gave me the opportunity to move back to the Upper Valley and work remotely.
The time spent with family has been priceless. I also joined the board at AVA Gallery and started creating virtual reality art.
Historically, pandemics have always been a time of both chaos and creation; the latter will continue to be my focus in 2021.
Colton Orr lives in Enfield.