Homecoming – a word that took on a whole new meaning for so many of us during the pandemic. Under lockdown, we were all holed up and shut in, filled with feelings of uncertainty, wondering when or if life would or even could return to normal.
Something wonderful started to happen, though. Smog lifted from cities devoid of automobile traffic. For the first time in decades, we could see clear and beautiful city skylines. The song of birds could be heard in the absence of noise pollution as well.
At home, a new peace and calm arrived to replace the rush and pressures of modern living. We experienced newfound time and space to be present with our loved ones. We had time to think and reflect. The feeling of carefree timelessness we had as children returned like an old friend – a long, lost, friend.
Not being able to teach my live art classes, I looked around my home studio and found so many unfinished projects staring back at me. I thought, what a great opportunity to work on completing them. So I happily set out to do just that.
Without a schedule, I thought I should create one for myself. As a way to both practice mindfulness and strengthen my hand-eye coordination, I committed to drawing daily, continuous line, blind contour self portraits on weekdays. It quickly became a favorite activity during my morning routine.
After a couple of weeks, I got bored with just doing the line drawings so I began coloring them with watercolors. From April 2020 to July 2020, I filled that sketchbook with around 65 drawings.
Each peculiar blind drawing served as source of humor. More importantly, though, I realized that the imperfections reflected my innermost thoughts and feelings. Each turn and deviation the line took from reality represented a thought or feeling that was coming through to interrupt my focus. Each drawing became a mirror, a conduit by which I could see inside myself. For the first time in my life, I really felt like I could see my authentic self. I had never taken the time for such introspection before. For the first time, I felt like I was home.
I also completed quite a few unfinished oil and acrylic paintings. My art life was good! Many of those paintings reflect the beauty of my hometown and my own home and backyard.
The artmaking that I was engaged in during the pandemic reflects not just a physical return to home but also a return to myself, the artist within.
What does homecoming mean to you? How did the pandemic effect your art life? I would love to read about your thoughts and experiences! Please share in the comments section below.
And, hey, if you’re in town, stop by the the Lacey Branch of The Ocean County Library to see and experience in person the art mentioned here.
Have a great day and remember to live your best art life – painting the artist within!
