It would be an understatement to say that this year has been challenging for most people. This is certainly true for me. In early January when I was making plans and goals for the coming year I could never have imagined we would all face a deadly pandemic and economic shutdown that would impact the whole world. Thankfully Hawai’i has largely been spared from the brunt of the disease. However, here on the east side of the big island our economy was still reeling from the volcanic eruption that occurred a couple years ago. So the economic impact of COVID-19 has hit us particularly hard. The farmers markets where I used to sell my artwork shut down suddenly, as did most other businesses and schools. Though one of the markets has since re-opened it has not been worth it for me to go back for several reasons but mostly because there are just no customers. 

Don’t feel bad for me though, I have been very, very lucky for a few reasons. Since I do not work at the markets anymore I have more time to devote to my online sales. And I have had more time to devote to my art. Yes it is a huge challenge to work when all four of my kids are home all the time, but so far I have managed to create a few new pieces of artwork and really increase my online presence. And I would be totally lying if I said the unemployment money I have been receiving has not been extremely helpful! In fact, I was able to buy a new set of oil paints and have several oil paintings in the works with plans to do some much bigger ones. 

Above is my latest finished oil painting. A vibrant Red and yellow setting sun contrasts with the blue and green colors of gently rolling ocean waves.