Good/ Mourning, Thanksgiving
I still want to torch 2020 on a big ol’ bonfire, but I’m a little shocked to realize The Worst has not happened (yet). I know many people are in mourning for various reasons, which has me conflicted about the few bright spots.
“Janus: Value” in the collector’s home. Photo courtesy Korey McLeod.
On the one hand, I’m thrilled that “Janus: Value” now lives in Washington, DC, at the home of Korey McLeod. Actually, that collage wasn’t even in my solo show at Morton Fine Art. But after visiting the gallery, Korey found it on my website and asked if it was available. I’m deeply grateful for the support, especially during the pandemic.
Credit: All My Relations podcast/ Instagram
Speaking of COVID-19, the virus has claimed more Indigenous (and Black) lives than in any other group. So family gatherings with people outside your household are not a good idea; neither are public events critical of Thanksgiving. This year Un-Thanksgiving at the University of Oregon, the annual Sunrise Gathering at Alcatraz Island and the National Day of Mourning all went online.
Credit: Gregg Deal/ Amplifier.org
Understatement of the year: What a bittersweet holiday. For those who can access it, a Zoom gathering might help to ease the separation. But I think old-school phone calls, to share the good and the bad, might be better for me in this exhausting year.
Riding the second wave of museum closures
Thank goodness art museums are reopening! Now I can see the new Barbara Earl Thomas exhibit — oh wait…
[bitter laugh] Just kidding. Coronavirus rates are spiking again and we’re under a second stay-home order until at least mid-December. When one door closes…
If you’re art-starved and longing for The Before Times, search my blog for posts tagged “museum,” including:
Parents’ Day Out with me (and without the kids)
“Double Exposure,” contrasting portrayals of indigenous people in the Northwest
In the meantime, I guess we put museum visits on the raincheck list of restricted activities. ‘Raincheck in Rain City’ thanks to the ‘Rona. Ha. We are not amused.
The butterfly effect in art class
Who knew bugs could be so much fun? Clearly, the first people to sign up for the online art class I co-hosted — and maybe you too, if you can join us…
Work by Eva Rohr, “Bugs!” class artist
The students in Carla Sonheim’s “Bugs!” class really took to the collage process, and some of the (grown-up) kids let me share their work. Some you’d find in nature…
Work by Deborah Pollard-Kaz
Work by artists who took “Bugs!” as a group
… and other bugs live only in the artist’s imagination. I’m told this one started out as a monarch butterfly. Looks like it evolved!
Work by Deb Nichol
Here’s the best part: “Bugs!” is open to new students, and now at a 15% discount! (All the online classes are 15% off too, so feel free to splurge.)
Work by @askforkipje
What are you going to make? An Atlas moth? Maybe a blue morpho?