Pandamic

March 16, 2020 was National Panda Day. It was the start of the COVID pandemic - things were beginning to be shut down, people were hoarding toilet paper, and we were told to wash our hands. I painted a panda, on a toilet paper tube, washing its hands - and called it Pandamic (panda + pandemic = pandamic). Painting pandas on toilet paper tubes turned into my creative outlet during that time. I felt a deep need to create art with my hands, rather than the computer - and it helped me cope. I painted 40 pandas in all to correspond with what was happening in the news, national days, or how I was feeling. I tried to keep the pandas upbeat and positive, but some of them were sad. A reflection of life, I suppose. I'm not sure what the new normal will bring - but I hope it's filled with an appreciation of life, relationships, and the beauty in this world. You can check out all my pandas on Instagram.

Far Away, Close to Heart

Mother’s Day. The blue background of the mom picture is from a memory when I was a kid. I had asked my mom what her favorite color was, and she replied, "blue". When I questioned it and said that was a boy color - she told me that it's okay for girls to like blue - and it's not a “boy color”. She said she liked blue because it's the color of the sky and water. I'm glad I had that lesson early on and wasn't raised into thinking I had to conform to stereotypical expectations of what it means to be a girl. Thanks, mom!
Best of Times

Panda for International Children’s Book Day. Some of my favorite childhood memories are reading books with my family. It didn’t take a lot - just a book, being home, and time.
When at Home

Panda for National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day. That whole notion is ridiculous. But it seems suited for these ridiculous times. So - if you’re working from home - have fun and participate. But if you’re out in public, or on a video call - please wear real clothes!
Healing the Soul

This panda is a thank you to all the people who serenaded us with their music during the lock-downs. Musicians on roof tops, parks, and over the internet - thank you!
Hiding

Sometimes, even in isolation, I feel like hiding. Blankets are the best.
Emerge

My hope for the pandemic - may we emerge better than we were.
Stay Home

I created this early on in the pandemic - when they were advising us to stay home. For all of my pandas - I only cut out pieces from the toilet paper tubes - just using negative and positive space. I did not add separate pieces to the tubes. The bamboo took a long time to cut out, and it was a challenge painting the panda while reaching through the bamboo.