May 18: Holding Steady
Quaranzine is a weekly collection of creative works from the Arlington community that documents how we responded to this strange time we find ourselves in. Submit your own work.
Kayla Hinrichs Sorenson, "Please Water the Plants" - Due to required telework, I have not been able to water my desk plants. I prefer a desk-jungle if I have to be indoors all day. I was terribly worried as week two started that they may not make it. Fortunately, I was able to teach the building's minimal staffing team and they agreed to take pity on the plants. They asked for instructions, and I sketched and painted this quick instructional picture for them. Thankfully, the plants are surviving coronavirus.
Joey Gibson, "My 90th Birthday" - I celebrated my 90th birthday this month. I was born in Baltimore in 1930. One of my favorite life memories is from when I was 13 years old, and my 15-year-old sister and I hitchhiked to Maine. I stayed at an artist colony for two weeks. In my youth I was a dancer and played piano, mandolin, cassinette, and bass. When I graduated from high school I had to choose: dance professionally or study medicine. I became a doctor (Endocrinologist) and in the 1960s managed some of the first gender affirming (sex reassignment) surgeries for people who are trans. I live in a colorful house in Lyon Village with my husband Bob. We’ve raised children and are now grandparents. I am proud to be in my 90s. Photo credit: Marley Pulido
Lindsey Wray, "Sweatpants: A Haiku" - Sweatpants have pretty much been my uniform for the coronavirus pandemic. They're warm, comfortable, and sometimes even comforting. I decided they deserved some recognition, so I wrote a haiku in honor of sweatpants.
Paloma Kottonger, "Beating Covid 19" - I am a diplomat who is serving in China. Every time I come to Arlington for training, I get to enjoy the wonderful services you provide to the community. I want to share a bit of what I see and feel here. I did a series called "Beating COVID-19"
Stephanie Dempsey, "Separated" - I am curious about interior landscapes, so I started photographing everyday landscapes in my house. I post a daily image to my Facebook account as part of a meditation on the emotional processing of the effects of social distancing.
Sheela Ahluwalia, "Potato Beetle" - I took this photo of a Colorado potato beetle on a recent hike in Charles County, MD.
Joanna Edwards, "Poppies" - Poppies in graphite. See more of my work on JoannaKEdwards.com or Instagram @thejosho
Jessica Green, "No Ordinary Virus: A Change to Change" - The geometric shape that holds the graphic elements is called Metatron's Cube. It is a symbol that represents the energy throughout the universe and the balance within the universe. The alarm clocks are ticking to midnight and the earth has become a time bomb. The face of the globe indicates that we share the virus. Metatron's Cube is encircled by a mobius. A mobius is a significant ancient symbol of balance and union - two elements very much present in a pandemic. It is also a symbol of oneness. My pencil and ink drawing is one of hope; a wish for renewal and the rebalancing of a world out of kilter.
Rob Solka, "Escapism" - This was the first piece I worked on since social distancing began. I started playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons shortly after things began to close and it was a great feeling to be able to escape to a tropical island where I could visit my friends in the safety of the virtual world. I wanted to make a piece that captured the idea of the island that I escape to and the reality of me at home in my blanket cocoon and 24/7 pajamas. Fantasy meets reality.
Rita Wiggins, "COVID-19, Still Life #1, An Homage to Stanley Tucci" - Like may people, my husband and I have been keeping connected with family and friends during this time by participating in virtual visits, happy hours and trivia games. To make our Zoom get-togethers feel special, we have been experimenting with different cocktails. The actor, Stanley Tucci, posted a tutorial on his Instagram account making a Negroni for his wife. We tried it and found our new favorite! My painting includes all the ingredients for a perfect Negroni. I had fun composing the still life. I loved the colors and shapes of the bottles contrasting with the oranges, the brick wall and the lace table covering. This quieter life has gifted me adequate moments to notice and celebrate the simple beauty of everyday objects.
Rhiana Compton, "Neighborhood Beauty" - Captured this beauty on a walk through my neighborhood. It was so nice to see something growing, vibrant, and alive. I had to pause and soak it up because even though things often feel like they're falling apart, there is still so much beauty and hope around us.
Carol Regier, "Love in the Time of Coronavirus" - I am grieving the loss of my one and only and I want to share, especially with Everly Jazi, because her poem is titled the same as mine.
William Dickson, "Be The Light" - When things get so bleak we don’t know which way is up, we have to remind ourselves that there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if you have to create it yourself.
Jenny Shanker, "Reaching High" - On the day this photo was taken, I was inside most of the day because of blustery weather. By early evening, the winds died down and the clouds cleared to reveal a magnificent evening. This photo was taken near a house in the Donaldson Run neighborhood with some spectacular azaleas. I wanted to capture the azaleas, the towering tulip trees behind them, and the clear early evening sky.
Katelyn Attanasio, "Space Mom" - I often find myself referring back to Carrie Fisher's writing and acting, especially when I'm feeling lost or vulnerable, or when the world seems to have stopped making sense. Her insistence on being loud and unapologetic about who she was has always been a source of strength for me, so painting her seemed appropriate in these times.
Mary Van Dyke, "Self Portrait: Covid 19" - I am outdoors wearing a homemade mask to reduce coronavirus transmission, reminiscent of the English using nosegays to keep away the Plague. The red roses fabric is left over from a shirt I made for my cousin's wedding in Cornwall 20 years ago. My husband has already had unconfirmed COVID-19. I don't know whether I am asymptomatic, immune, or have not yet gotten the coronavirus.
Rachel Blanco, "A Change of Scenery" - I tend to be very perfectionist when it comes to the art I make, but since quarantine has begun, I've tried to let go of that impulse and just make art that entertains me and keeps me calm. This has led to me making so much more than I normally do! I've started taping the pieces to my wall, which has been a nice way to change my setting even when I can't physically go anywhere.
Hillary Williams, "Sunset Bridge" - Image from a walk across the 395 pedestrian bridge in Shirlington at sunset.
Emily Shepardson, "The Stag Candelabra" - I have been reading a lot during this time. Sometimes a book inspires me to draw. This is a page I made in my sketchbook while reading "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern. There are many beautiful images within the story, but I felt compelled to draw the stag with the candles in his antlers. The tale is full of doors, bees, keys and swords. It is perfect escapist literature for these times.
Griffin Barnett, "Pink Moon, Blue City" - Had a great time photographing the April 7, 2020 supermoon from my apartment building rooftop, while complying with stay-at-home orders. This was the brightest supermoon we will have in 2020, and I could not have asked for better conditions. I'm grateful to have this opportunity to practice my art despite the situation going on around us in the world. More of my work as an amateur landscape, wildlife, and astro photographer is available at www.griffinbarnett.photography.
Anne Womack, "Your Neighbors Are Thankful" - These past few weeks I have seen homegrown art pop up all over my neighborhood, thanking the essential workers who continue to work so hard for us. I've included 2 of my favorite photographs as well as a poem I wrote.
El Simmons, "Apollo" - Duct tape, cardboard. 8.25"" x 11"". My partner and I decided to live together during the stay at home orders, resulting in me spending time with his dog 24/7 while he is out working long hours, 5-6 days a week. Apollo has become my world, in so many ways.
David Stanley, "On the Road to Deflation" - This image is what flashes before my eyes when oil futures plummet below a dollar. It makes me wonder what's next? Can spirits be lifted by dark humor? Is the only thing we have to fear is fear itself?
Andrew Henderson, "King Street Quarantine Views" - Route 7 (King Street) and Walter Reed Drive was completely devoid of cars one evening as I was on my way to the new Five Guys to pick up burgers for my wife and I. The brand new West End development, located where the old Five Guys used to be, is hoping to be a bustling city center. It looked so nice in the evening sun, but I felt a touch of sadness in the contrast between hope for future success of the new center and the empty street.
Daniel Choi, "A Corona Love Letter" - With all the time in the world to find pleasure in the smallest things and be silly, let me share a letter of love for the thing that has made me smile: toaster based breakfast pastries.
Bekah Richards, "Daydreaming" - Created in quarantine with a homemade gelli plate, acrylic paint, and oil pastels over old sheet music.
The next deadline for submissions to Quaranzine is Thursday, May 21
These thoughts and feelings are So beautiful. This, the first I’ve seen, &was sent to me by a neighbor and I’m so Pleased to receive it. One of the submittals is from a long-time friend, which makes it doubly rewarding….A wonderful And creative way to Spend quarantine time