When you see a sketch of people, does your mind start making up stories? Are these people friends? Younger or older? Sightseers? At home or overseas?
People
Month: April 2020
Opening Our Eyes
Meditation is a great way to stay centered, especially in anxious times. Apps really help, and over the last five years I’ve used Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer. My new favorite mediation app is Balance. (The people who make Balance also have a great brain-training app called Elevate, which I have used every day for six months.) Often after mediation, I notice more of what I see.
Patchwork of Greens
Every spring, artists dust off their greens. There are dozens, hundreds of shades of green in nature. Painters can start off with a green like sap green or viridian, and modify it with a touch of yellow and red. Or mix various blues and yellows (I have three of each on my palette, there are dozen more). Then decide how much water to add to make it lighter or darker. Myriad choices to evoke the unfolding colors of the world around us.
Walking for Hunger
This year is my 40th annual Walk for Hunger, to raise money for 400 food pantries and soup kitchens across Massachusetts. Food pantries are now besieged by 24 million newly unemployed people looking for emergency groceries for their families, so those who contribute to my Walk are more appreciated than ever. Because of social distancing, the Walk is forced to be virtual, and I can’t approach people personally to ask for pledges. If you are willing to sponsor me, you can donate to my personal Walk page by clicking here. Thank you so much!
Spring Flowers
Happy Easter and Passover! Here’s a bouquet of lilies and flowers to celebrate the arrival of spring.
The Serenity Prayer
The Serenity Prayer has guided me through personal and political distress, and now it is guiding me through an epidemic. “Stay home, wash your hands, maintain healthy habits, and release the rest,” seems like the current version of this prayer.
Here Comes the Sun
Last week was gray, rainy and cold in New England, adding to Covid Claustrophobia. So the sunshine now is very welcome. On Saturday I spent a blissful hour in our front yard, sketching the emerging plants and chatting with neighbors (from six feet away) as they walked by. You can see from the photo below that sketches don’t have to be realistic — you can choose, alter and rearrange what appeals to you. Hence the term “artistic license.”
Visitors at the Window
We have devised several strategies to stay sane in this crazy time. First and most important, limited exposure to the news. Second, quiet classical music on the radio all day. Third, staying in touch via phone and video chat (Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom). Fourth, feed the birds! Here are a Carolina wren and a male goldfinch who visited our feeder last week.
I love sharing with you, especially now, and a number of you have written you feel the same. If you know anyone who might enjoy receiving my posts, please forward to them. They can sign up by emailing me at lynnholbein@gmail.com, or on the right-hand side on my website www.lynnholbein.com. Stay safe!
