Twisted Trees/Twisted Lives Series

During Covid I frequently felt isolated, sometimes fearful, often sad or even angry.  I found refuge in my art. My series of eight paintings “Twisted Trees/Twisted Lives” speaks to how uprooted and twisted my life became. These entwining trees express my isolation, wandering thoughts and fears of sickness or dying. They speak to the frustration of not hugging my children or grandchildren and not walking with friends.  “Open Spaces” was painted in February 2020 just as our immediate world was closing in on us. I was intrigued by the cascading colors and wide-open spaces and the twisted Juniper trees.  In the series these haunting  Juniper trees grew larger as their trunks and limbs twisted and expanded. My colors emboldened.  “Tangled Branches”  was painted with perhaps a hint of changes to come.  “Touching the Sky”  reached upwards seeking solutions to our isolation. “Will Spring Ever Arrive” expressed awareness that it was not ending soon. Later I introduced figures. One painting expresses how“Alone” a young child must feel. “Collective Loneliness” expresses desire to be with others. “Climbing Out” hints of getting away.  Finally, as “Spring Finally Arrives” we begin to hope. 

Painting during Covid helped create a healing place for me. Through zoom meetings I met new friends and we shared our art and our collective feelings. Although we were isolated, we were unwilling to allow the pandemic to destroy our spirits and our energy.  (This collection was painted in 2020 and 2021)