I sent out my last blog post (and first of the year) on March 12. The next day, Friday the 13th, an easy date to remember, my world shifted. That was also the last day I went to my studio, gave a friend a hug, bought groceries and flowers just for the weekend in a grocery store, and took a walk in Golden Gate Park - a mere foot away from my friend. Later we all ordered Chinese food in.
I haven’t had any restaurant food since. I haven’t been around anyone but my husband Jack and our two cats nor have either of us gone to a store or run an errand beyond a mail box. Everything can be delivered and so it is for us. Mind you, I married a guy who loves to cook and bake, so during sheltering in place he’s feeding us very well. This is a challenge he’s embraced.
So far I’ve been sheltering in place over 40 days. I know we are all in this together and share our alarm about having no clear end in sight or vision for the future. And since I’ve been writing this blog for weeks off and on my point of view has continued to evolve. As the situation and my mood shifts, it is harder than usual for me to finalize a piece of writing and send it out into the world.
First photo in the next phase of my Barbie on the Cusp series, She Has Everything She Needs. I have to admit it seemed kinda funny at first. I mean the hoarding. Not any more. I think the next Barbie series will be domestic (USA), which reflects my lack of travel plans for 2020 and maybe 2021.
FRIDAY THE 13TH
During the evening of Friday the 13th I started cancelling all of our plans. Until then we were still making arrangements and scheduling activities which we meant to keep. But our friends understood. They too were cancelling. In the Bay Area, we were on the precipice of the shut down, and that following Monday, alone in my car, I heard the mayor’s announcement ordering everyone to “shelter in place”. I felt glad and sad simultaneously - proud to live in a place that is attentive to its people and our health and well-being, but sad that I wouldn’t be able to do so many things or go back to my new art studio. And worried about people I know and don’t know getting sick and dying. In the early stages I felt deep concern for family and friends in other parts of the USA where there were no strict orders yet, and other parts of the world that were already in an extreme state of the pandemic crisis. My sisters on the East Coast live in areas slower to respond. And I worriedly reached out to friends in Italy, France, Spain, and England - and luckily they’re all safe (though many have lost friends and family).
A scene from the early days of SIP seen venturing out for a short drive into Golden Gate Park to see the spring tulips. Later many of these roads and parking areas were closed because there were too many people gathering.
Back to that fateful Friday the 13th when I said that we’d never lived through anything like this before and my friend corrected me by saying that the AIDS epidemic was very much like this - so many losses, and no ideal treatment nor vaccine. He’s right. He lost his partner. Our city of San Francisco was devastated. And AIDS-related deaths have continued for years. So many friends were lost - it really hit home for me.
But this pandemic is even more extensive and has spread so easily (even to cats?) and reached just about every corner of the world. Now I think we all agree it’s the worst health crisis in our lifetime (okay now please stop telling me about the number of losses due to the Spanish Flu of 1918). I can’t get enough Covid news and statistics yet I continue to read my novels and art articles. And I just read a novel that is historical fiction and takes place during the Bubonic Plague, The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish.
WHAT WILL THIS LEAD TO?
I want to understand this. I want to use this experience to come out (and ideally pop out at the other end) as a better person to live in a better world. There’s some good news here. We’ve all had to slow way down and tightly restrict our activities. This means - among other things - that we’ve been able to return to many of our most basic creature comforts. I’m enjoying quite a few of these (but not all) – naps, staying up later, and sleeping in; reading the many books and periodicals that are all over my house; gardening; playing and listening to music; dancing around; organizing and rearranging cupboards, closets, and drawers (somehow so comforting, mindless, and satisfying); taking on cooking projects; enjoying long baths and long walks; eating regular meals plus snacks, wine, and cocktails; deep cleaning; cycling; snuggling and playing with our animals and kids; talking on the phone/ Zoom/Facetime/WhatsApp and hanging out on other social media; chilling with the mate; staying home; not commuting; and getting to know our immediate neighborhoods and our neighbors better.
A favorite corner in the hood. Spring blossoms!
The best view nearby is at Tank Hill. Wildflowers!
VINTAGE PHOTOS
While reconnecting with family and old friends, I’ve been pulling out boxes of photos and then with my iPhone sending them out and posting. I have loads of very good black and white images my father shot and printed in our home darkroom. I used a favorite one (below) to make a collage for a SFWA Mother’s Day show online. That’s mom in the middle, surrounded by her girls - I’m in the saddle shoes - with my two big sisters Lyn and Ava (before our brother Adam was born).
Left to right: Susan, Lyn, Joy, Ava
“On the Rocks” is my piece in the SFWA Mother’s Day gallery/shop online here.
SHOPPING, COOKING, BAKING, & DRINKING
I realize that many of us are spending a lot of time ordering online these days on overloaded systems - liquor, food, pet supplies, hair products, and other goods we need to replenish. San Franciscans were ready for an earthquake with extra supplies which we could raid but sometimes you just run out. I don’t understand the urge to hoard anything - toilet paper, hand sanitizer, or masks - especially to the detriment of others. I’m grateful we had yeast around and could buy flour so Jack could practice his bread baking. There are so many strange shortages - in addition to paper products, yeast and flour, eggs, favorite brands, fresh produce like lemons and limes, and now health and supply chain issues around meat shortages.
Many of our friends and family are venturing out regularly for groceries. I don’t think it’s necessary but I do understand the tradeoffs and don’t want to tell others what to do or vice versa. At least for the first few weeks of lockdown online ordering worked well but eventually the demand increased and couldn’t be easily met. Strikes about risk and safety arose. Eventually I’m sure I’ll see the inside of a store or be outside with lots of people at a farmer’s market. I miss all that a lot. But in the meantime the concern about workers health and safety couldn’t be more legitimate - shoppers, delivery people, the whole group of folks “lucky” enough to have jobs. I hope we all are helping the helpers. I appreciate our friends who are shopping for others and all the rest of the volunteers out there helping anyone in need!
Top: Roasted whole cauliflower with cumin; fresh pear tart Bottom: Iron skillet crusty white bread; Spanish seafood noodle paella
We often have a variation on the kid’s lunch -with a cute sandwich and veggie like this.
REALLY STAYING HOME
Call me risk-averse, but I don’t feel like it’s worth taking the chance to get take out from restaurants, go to farmers markets, or walk into food stores. I read that 50% of the restaurants out there may not make it through and re-open. But I don’t think I’ll be able to save my local restaurant by ordering take-out. In any case now I am considered “old” - perhaps this is my first realization that this is the case - so now as a person over 60 I’m supposed to stay inside. And wear masks and gloves out. I think everyone should wear masks out. They did it in Hong Kong and other major metropolitan areas to great affect.
On a lighter note, masks are no doubt on their way to being the latest fashion trend. I’m working on getting my art masks made asap! They’ll be available along with a variety of merchandise already on Red Bubble. I’m also selling my textiles directly on Spoonflower now.
LAST WEEK - This attractive reversible cotton mask is made by Liz Brooking. Available by direct order from her on Facebook. Or make your own with my art fabric from Spoonflower.
This fabric and many more on Spoonflower now!
A WEEK LATER - More covered. I dug out my California wildfire mask (from Rainbow Grocery) so I am rotating masks.
Sample of my patterns and typical color palette. Find more at Spoonflower now.
CONTINUOUS CHANGES
We are all coming to terms with the on-going changes resulting from the pandemic. And many of us are realizing that we (those of us who live in the USA) might have been safer sooner, like people in Greece. And so much for the younger folks not being affected since 18-49 year olds have been getting sick too. There’s a very clear and concise article about face mask wearing in The Atlantic (which I believe we’re encouraged to share).
Sad to say that I habitually scan the obits and they are dense in the latest Sunday NYT. I read their causes of death and their ages. There are so many Covid cases. I am concerned about family in care facilities. We were in Seattle the weekend of that first nursing home outbreak and it is terrifying. Needless to say I am terribly sad for friends and family who have lost people due to the pandemic - or for other causes during this time since no one can just hop on a plane and attend a funeral. It must have been hard not to be with people you care about during the April holidays – Passover and Easter – and during the times of loss.
Found all the ingredients for the seder plate right in our fridge (except a bone).
One nice idea that emerged was to hold family and friend get togethers long distance through Zoom. I joined in to my sister’s virtual seder in Philadelphia. For my seder - a Passover ceremonial service and meal - I initiated the special ceramic plate I made years ago and had never used before. The symbolic foods are already glazed onto the plate.
MY LITTLE WORLD
As always I take photos of what’s right here when I am at home - just little things around me and views out the window. Now my physical world has gotten so much smaller. It would be absurd to try to make travel plans. Luckily I have a huge number of photos from trips over the last few years and could spend all my time virtually traveling again through them. And real long distance travel…it’s hard to imagine that we will fly around with the same carefree attitudes of the past. I am sorry for the younger generation who will not travel with the ease we got used to.
Home vignette (with beautiful books by Kiff Slemens)
Barcelona courtyard
OLD FRIENDS CHECKING IN
I am sentimental and nostalgic. With a father who photographed our daily lives in black and white, I have a record of our lives more than most people. One of my lifelong friendships is with Michelle, who lives in a village in the English countryside. We took ballet together in the third grade. I learned to drink milky tea from her British actress mom. As an army brat she moved often - so that was our only year together, but we wrote letters and stayed in touch. Michelle always calls me in a crisis - usually your Bay Area variety such as earthquakes and fires. So again, she called me right away, but this time the disaster is worldwide so we are both affected. I am also wonderfully connected to friends in other far away places and it’s good know they are safe and well and it’s all so easy to get in touch now. Sadly there’s very little letter writing anymore for keeping a lasting record. We will lose people and people we know will be traumatized by illness and losses. This is all part of what we try to imagine the world will be like when we are through with this phase.
Third grade
Me, Michelle, my sisters
Visit from Michelle in the 80s
LUCKY!
I know I’m lucky. I am not really struggling with more than feeling discomfort at being trapped at home. This is such a stressful time for folks who have lost jobs, are trying to manage kids and jobs from home, and to all those whose businesses or employers will not make it through the financial downturn. For retired folks in my age group, their 401K accounts tanked so low that we really have to live a long time for them to rebound...or just die sooner.
So now I am letting my hair go somewhat gray and it has started to get pretty shaggy. I know this is the new normal. So I pre-paid my hair salon to help them out, but in the meantime I’ve been trimming my curly mop my self. Uh oh, it could get shorter than planned because it’s fun to snip away.
She is lucky to have a friend to shelter in place with and she’s a Russian doll!
I am lucky with this view including a big tree with an owl who hoots nightly.
ZOOM CALLS
Who doesn’t wear only super comfy casual clothes – with slippers? That said I dress up with earrings and lipstick for my visual phone and video calls. I get out of PJs and into exercise clothes for daily Pure Barre Zoom classes while my husband does his live Zoom Tai Chi. We attended a Zoom birthday party. I’ve revived one of my groups, the Curly Girls and I look forward to my Zoom book group session next week. I attend my life drawing group 2x/week and we really look at each other, because we’re drawing each other. So, yes, I dress up a bit, generally just my top half. I even meet new artists in my live model Zoom sessions so I care a little about my physical presentation. These virtual experiences are not so bad if it’s all you’ve got.
There’s a lot of drinking going on. And I love to make and invent cocktails - but why can’t I find sweet vermouth - is everyone really drinking Manhattans and Negronis? We have enjoyed virtual cocktail hours with friends – although it could be coffee for me while it’s drinks in London. It’s interesting to compare notes about how our different governments, friends, and families are handling the pandemic.
Studying my 1920s cocktail recipe book. I’ve been drinking Vespers in vintage glassware.
Sipping while watching the sun set out the window while the view is reflected inside the house.
PANDEMIC ART & ARTISTS
One of four pieces of my art on Red Bubble.
Already near the bottom of this post and finally I’m writing about art! As an artist, I always have too much to do. I am used to spending many hours working alone on projects - great practice in life and lock downs. I have time for re-working older pieces, sorting out the drawers-full of pre-digital drawings on paper (well, I haven’t started this project yet but I hope to by the time I send this out), archiving art and photo files, editing, updating my website, studying hashtags and posting on social media, drawing my husband, my drawing group in our virtual meetings, and most recently online life drawing sessions - yay! I’m also meeting virtually with my art coach, submitting to online juried shows, looking for future shows and opportunities, applying for grants, posting my work for sale on Red Bubble and on Spoonflower, making short video tours of the art in my house, writing my blog, assembling new art books, adding work to my Patreon account, uploading art process videos to my YouTube channel, studying other artists’ videos, and much more.
“Glowing” is on Red Bubble products now. Model: Alida
“Redhead on Pink” is on Red Bubble merchandise now.
The pandemic theme has taken hold as artists grapple with the new world order, issues of isolation and their inability to work in their studios, show and sell art in person, and express their feelings about living in a pandemic. It’s still a busy time for me but I am giving myself a break too as I am not always feeling super-motivated or focused during SIP. That said, I’ve entered and been accepted into a few online shows as many opportunities online that suit my work. Of course I had a bunch of event and exhibition plans cancelled and work toward art residencies is all for naught. I’m booked for a show at City Art Coop Gallery in June. Will this happen? Your guess is as good as mine.
My “Magenta Hair” is now online in SFWA’s Artist’s Choice exhibition.
SAN FRANCISCO WOMEN ARTISTS GALLERY
As the exhibition director and serving on the Board of San Francisco Women Artists Gallery (SFWA), a historic Bay Area women’s art gallery, I’m well aware of the tumult and financial stress the pandemic is causing and the art world is being hit very hard. I hope that SFWA can survive and thrive. I have a new piece in the SFWA’s Artist’s Choice show and before everything closed SFWA had our last in-person exhibition themed Hidden Figures. My piece, “Asleep in the Moss” was juried in. We built out an online gallery and shop to maintain our exposure to try to work around this prolonged gallery closure. I spent a lot of time planning and writing show themes and inviting jurors for SFWA this year, but who knows when we can re-open? I’ll keep you posted.
“Asleep in the Moss” is a digital original collage composed of a life drawing and a photo of a Japanese moss landscape.
VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS
SFWA was to have our very first gala - at the top of the Sales Tower - on July 1, but that’s on hold. The latest news is that instead we’re having an Benefit Fundraiser with member art - all online for 2 weeks in May! I’ll be submitting work to the juried art auction. Matt McKinley is our juror. Stay tuned for details.
ArtspanSF was having an annual fundraiser in March and my piece (below) was juried into this auction. Now online, it is still available for sale to benefit ArtspanSF along with many other exciting member works of art.
Word Series: Burmese Heat, a large metal print still available to benefit the ArtspanSF annual auction (#artliveswithinus)
INFORMATION EXCHANGE
Now more than ever I exchange deadly serious, informative articles as well as silly, funny, or inspiring stories, photos, and videos. Meantime, at our house we’re watching a lot of news (both the good and the bad stations), mixing it up with once a week live theatre (virtually), reading the Sunday NYT all week, and catching up on lots of films and tv series. This is what people are talking most about besides the virus and the politics around it.
ALONE?
For people living alone this is a hard time, even for the loners. I understand that people are choosing a tiny group of people to be with during this time. I would do that too, if I didn’t have Jack with me for the last 35+ years! For people who don’t get along or have one too many roommates or live in a tiny space – it could be a disaster. Call me!
JOURNAL ENTRY, APRIL 21
We are getting used to living in a pandemic state of quarantine. By the time I post this none of it will be a novelty anymore. I see “for rent”, “for lease”, and “for sale” signs which now abound in SF. I sneak in a short drive around town. It does not seem dangerous. There are glimmers of hope. Around the world people have different ways of tackling this thing, such as in Sweden. Feeling lucky to not be in the midst of the hell that others are in. This week was the anniversary of my sister-in-law passing. She was in a nursing home. How would it have been for her and for us? I am deeply sad (we are allowed to be), hopeful (we know we should be), and frustrated (how can we not be?)! What is responsible behavior? When will we get vaccines? When will we be tested? Is anything accurate? How will this affect what we can and cannot do? Sooo slow. The movement is far too slow for a worldwide problem. I’ve talked to lots of friends. Not all. But I am not a phone person. Zoom is in some ways is better. Much better than nothing if you want to draw a figure. I had my first full drawing session today and it felt good.
WHAT’S NEXT
My May blog will be a continuation of the theme I began in my March blog about collecting and why it is such an important time to have beautiful, provocative art and objects in your environment! I invite you to think about it and I’ll be asking questions to get your input and feedback on this topic! This will be my anti-Kondo feature. Especially for those of us sheltering in place yet another month I’ll make an effort to send it out to you sooner than later.
EVENTS
> SFWA BENEFIT FUNDRAISER - First Annual/First Online: May 23-June 6
SHOWS
> Lightspace and Time May Juried Online Botanical Show, FMay 3-31
> Fusion Art April Juried Online Show, "4th Annual Black & White" Exhibition (two photos)
> Lightspace and Time April Juried Online Figurative Show, Winner of Special Merit & Special Recognition Awards
> SFWA Artist’s Choice Show Online
> SFWA Mother's Day Show Online
> Fusion Art March Juried Online Show, "4th Annual Colors" Exhibition
> ArtspanSF Benefit Art Auction | Featured Artist
> SFWA Gallery March Juried Show, "Hidden Figures" now online!
MAYBE
Maybe… an in person live show at City Art Coop in June 2020
Maybe… a studio opening in June 2020
STAY IN TOUCH
Send me your comments and questions. Like and share my blogs. If you missed my earlier blog posts, they’re all here if you scroll through.
SOCIAL
I post images regularly! Follow me: instagram.com/srkirshenbaum facebook.com/cherrypitsart
UPDATES
I’m always refreshing my website so take a browse through and see what’s new.
MEN & PORTRAITS
It’s hard for me not to have a live model at my disposal to work from weekly in my various drawing groups, but fortunately Jack will pose for me sometimes and he’s quite fun to draw and he stays very still. I am concerned about our art models and many art workers out there with no safety nets. My life drawing group - the one I’ve been in for decades has gone virtual 2x/week, and it’s a great group for interesting conversation. Surprisingly this group has several art-model-teacher members, so when we take turns posing it’s done well.
MEN IN UNDERSHIRTS
I have a recent re-appreciation for the so called “wife-beater” or common men’s undershirt shown in these two drawings.
HAND STUDIES
Hands are always hard to draw and paint so I thought they should be a challenge for the drawing group. Even if you get better with them you can get rusty. It’s like any exercise.
LIVE VIDEO DRAWING
Several models I know - plus a handful that I don’t know from all around the world - have started their own Zoom drawing sessions. There’s even one on The Big Island that asks only that you donate a cup of coffee. Our local models are a bit more regulated but offer sliding fee scales and go through Eventbrite for tickets. As usual I’m drawing all these on my iPad Pro with my Apple Pencil in Procreate.
Titania’s last pose of the session
Titania holds the most difficult poses
Bibi LaVie in repose
Line drawing of Bibi
My Picasso-ish Bibi
Bibi looking down
EXHIBITING PHOTOGRAPHY
Thank goodness for online galleries! I got two of my photographs into the April Fusion online show and competition featuring black and white images. I have just begun entering my travel AND Barbie photographs into shows.
“Peluqueria”, taken in Catalonia, juried into the Fusion Art Black & White online exhibition
“Delivery Bicycle”, shot in Barcelona, summer 2019
“Barbie and Bottle”, Spain 2019, juried into the Fusion Art April Online Black & White Exhibition
I began exhibiting my photos in gallery settings with my “Barbie on the Cusp” series. The third book in this ongoing series is available now! Let me know how many and to whom they’re going so I can inscribe them. As always I produced a very limited edition.
Email me @ srkirshenbaum@gmail.com OR order from my website shop: Barbie: Japan ($25 signed & all inclusive)
