Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Louis Dennis living and working in Santa Ana, California As a premonition, right before the pandemic I had purchased an Epson printer and MacBook. So when we got locked down on March 13th, my regular job as a sales rep was put on hold and I was given space for my new direction to flourish. Such a scary time for a worrier at heart like me, but photography and the walks I took opened my eyes again, and made me look at the world with new intensity. With renewed vision, I crawled on damp spring Pacific Ocean mornings capturing images of nature additionally aided by the drawings of shelled gastropods, leaving their marks across the lens. The pandemic, in a large sense, put my life back into focus. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #naturephotography #flowers #pacificcoast #naturewalks #pandemicart #earlymornings #springmornings #dew #feelingconnected #wildflowers #stressrelief #pacificocean #gastropods #gastropodia #lockdownart #arthobby #amaturephotography #covid19art #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #LouisDennis

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features artist, Kathy Bruce, living and working in Roscoe, New York but currently sheltering-in-place in Liverpool, England, United Kingdom I was caught by surprise geographically at the onset of the virus and missed my chance to return safely home to my US studio. As an artist with an autoimmune disease, I consequently ended up sheltering in place with relatives in England. The collages I have been making since the end of February 2020 are about the isolation, fear and distancing we are all living with as the result of this pandemic. I am focusing particularly on the notion of how nature and diseases such as the Coronavirus are inter-connected with human anatomy and plants. I'm thinking about Nature as both the savior and the enemy-- where human beings are weapons, enemies to each other. Unknown futures, uncertainty, death? Sickness? Is the threat what we can see or is it an invisible threat--what we cannot see? The beauty and brutality of Nature. Will it save us? Kill us? Is it retaliating with the virus? What about plants….our relationship to them? #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #collage #collageart #paperart #humananatomy #botany # #isolation #fear #shelteringinplace #pandemicresponse #beauty #uncertainty#brutality #unknownfuture #covid19art #disease #virus #farfromhome #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #KathyBruce

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features artist Carolynn Haydu, living and working in Oakland, California The One Who Knows I'm a restaurant worker in the Bay Area. I've been working in restaurants here for 20 years to support my art practice. For many years I thought of these two work practices as separate parts of my life. However, in the last 6 months I began to realize my coworkers were a source of intense inspiration for me. I began a series of portraits that imagines them as mythical beings or possessing magical abilities. Then the pandemic hit and we all lost our jobs. The pictures became about something in addition to hero worship of my restaurant tribe. They became about groundlessness and anxiety in the face of total uncertainty. I know that we aren't the only industry that is suffering. We are among millions that know not when we get our jobs back and what they will look like when we do. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #mixedmedia #graphitedrawing #portraitart #collage #paperart #pandemicresponse #creativeresponse #restaurantworker #jobslost #workingartist #unemployedlife #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #oaklandcalifornia #bayareaartist #carolynnhaydu

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features London based architect and painter, Wiame Azzouzi How I Met Your Mother I have used this quiet and alone time to reflect on the fast life that I was leading before this lockdown and how it might have affected me. Fast money, fast cars, fast sex. You know the deal. Overconsumption and urban sprawl have caused not only our ozone to deplete but also our human interactions to lose their meaning. Longer working hours and online technologies have led the majority of us to lead their lives blind as a bat running through rush hours in herds. During quarantine, I was making this painting in slow motion, reminiscing on my new lifestyle - all the architecture and culture I won’t be seeing any time soon, all the groceries I’ll be mounting in the house and all the neighbors I’ll be seeing a lot. “How I Met Your Mother” sparks some joy amongst the chaos. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #contemporarypainting #painting #comicrelief #figurativeabstraction #abstractpainting #artist #londonartist #ukpainter #pandemicresponse #newnormal #pandemiclife #humanexperience #slowmotion #creativeresponse #covid19art #howimetyourmother #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #wiameazzouzi

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Ken Ketchum, living and working in Edmonds, Washington SHELTER I’m a 71 year old retired carpenter and life long artist. The isolation has not affected me that much as I spend a lot of time alone anyway, working on new ideas, alone, in my studio. I do miss being able to hug my kids and grandchildren. The piece represents how I feel about the importance of family and how the world might learn something from our forced isolation, and strengthen the bonds that hold us together. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #painting #shelter #shelterinplace #creativeresponse #pandemicresponse #isolatedartist #comfort #cutecat #homeartstudio #cats #importanceoffamily #animalsinart #catpainting #cuddlecat #kitty #familybonds #edmondswashington #kittylove #washingtonartist #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #KenKetchum

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Sarah Stone, living and working in Los Angeles, California SWIMMING FOR SHORE I paint what I feel, but I find ways of describing my feelings through allegorical imagery that often employs animals as stand-ins for people. I live in a rural canyon at the edge of LA county, an area that frequently has wildfires. Coyotes, hawks and rabbits are part of my daily scenery, and when there is a fire, or mudslide, or other local event, the animals are as much refugees of that situation as the people. The allegorical image that best captured how I feel about the pandemic is an anxious rabbit swimming through a river in a forest fire, paddling hell-bent-for-leather to reach a safe shore. I made this painting in the second month of quarantine, when it still felt kind of new and shocking. I’m now entering my fourth month and a lot has happened. I am settling in to a pattern of working and mindful daily activities. It’s been very zen, one could say. I wake up and paint, clean the house, make food, stay away from people, wear masks, and don't think anymore about when this will be over. I’m still swimming for shore, but I am seeing now that this is a marathon, not a sprint. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #oilpainting #creativeresponse #anxiety #pandemicresponse #allegory #rabbit #swimming #rabbits #mindfulness #animalsinart #swimtosafety #keepcalm #laartist #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #SarahStone

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Ann Mechelinck-O'Sullivan living and working in Macroom, co Cork, Ireland When my art classes stopped early March because of the COVID-19 outbreak, I started focusing on my garden as being outdoors helped me to fight my feelings of anguish, solitude, sadness,... The beauty of the moss growing on the stone wall, the tiny shoots of new life, the patterns of the trees, the shadows cast on the grass,... have since made me feeling hopeful that we will overcome this pandemic, that nature regenerates and that life always will find a way. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #textileart #textileartist #creativeresponse #moss #newlife #nature #garden #beingoutdoors #naturetherapy #natureheals #regenerate #irishartist #ireland #corkireland #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #annmechelinck

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Nadege Monchera Baer, living and working in Los Angeles, California EXPANDING MOMENT My art practice is almost unchanged as my studio is in my home and I work alone over great spans of times. But to counterbalance so much intense alone time, I am normally very active in going to exhibits and openings. I find the discovery of new work exciting and creatively stimulating in a way that is challenging, reassuring and extremely pleasurable.That visual dialogue is a major component of who I am and what I do. The first days of the pandemic were marked by the cancellation of an opening for a group show I was included in which ended my chance to see some of the other participating artists I was really looking forward to meeting. I do the best I can but greatly miss the proximity of friends and new acquaintances, their expressions, smiles, laughter and hugs are essentially impossible to replace. But it seems like we are all going through the uncertainties and the longings of this Expanding Moment. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #mixedmedia #drawing #acrylicpainting#creativeresponse #expansion #moment #studioartist #homeartstudio #laartist #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #nadegemoncherabaer #submityourart to @positivepandemiceexperiment 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject for more info DEADLINE JUNE 22!

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Cathy Ward, living and working in London, United Kingdom I live in the very heart of London, the epicentre of constant stifling energy. This pandemic has created incredible peace, calm, and beauty here... I can only think of a time in history during WW2 when it would've been this clear of traffic and people, but circumstances were not peaceful then as there would've been blackouts and fear of bombings. I draw from a place which is automatic and intuitive.. with no plan.. reactive to times, places, and atmospheres. I've been working on a large series of drawings the past two decades which are a place called ‘Liberty Realm’ about a female planet created with the fibres of hair & energy fields... the world has been decimated but it's regenerating and is now inhabited with memories which grow, diminish, mutate and flourish into new forms & imaginings as we head towards a different world & leave behind another in which we once came from. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #expression #drawing #inkdrawing #incisedink #londonartist #pandemicworld #newworld #pandemicresponse #prophesy #memories #regeneration #femaleplanet #differentworld #creativeresponse #covid19 #epoch #timewithoutend #energyfield #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #cathyward #submityourart to @positivepandemiceexperiment 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject for more info DEADLINE JUNE 22!

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Filippo Francocci, living and working in Spain When this pandemic started, like everyone else, I was taken by surprise. I felt really lucky that I had a small studio in my house and was happy that I had more reasons to work on my art. In the past, I have felt a sense of guilt, at times, while painting as voices in my head would chant “You should find a ‘real job’ that pays the bills!”. But during this humbling quarantine situation, I had lots of time to focus on what I have and my art production increased as it was impossible to go out. I was able to learn a lot about what was happening in the world and also hear the perspectives of other artists through my smartphone. So I would say that my contact with the art world increased during this period even if we were all stuck at home. It also showed me that despite what many people believe, art is a ‘real job’ and is an essential part of our culture. The part of me searching for something intelligent to say through my work took a back seat and I began focusing exclusively on what nature was communicating to me through the use of reclaimed natural materials. My piece ‘Realm of Chaos’, painted on old wood from abandoned shipping crates, reflects coming to terms with who I am as a painter and the conflict this creates with what is expected of me; in essence, it is about the struggle between man and nature. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #contemporarypainting #painting #realm #abstraction #pandemicresponse #creativeresponse #manversusnature #chaos #shippingcrates #foundwood #quarantineart #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #pandemictimes #spanishartist #Vidreres #Girona #spain #FilippoFrancocci #submityourart to @positivepandemiceexperiment 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject for more info DEADLINE JUNE 22!

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Maria Lino, living and working in Miami, Florida I’m an immigrant and I come from a seamstress and tailor family. I learned how to sew when I was very young, and I sewed many of my clothes until I went off to college. However, I hadn’t sewn in years until the quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As did many others, I sewed protective masks to donate to healthcare workers, family and friends. Spending hours on the sewing machine, and often getting backaches, heightened my respect for those who engage in repetitive work, as do garment workers in factories, like many in my family. I honor them. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #painting #figurepainting #labor #figurativeart #iamanimmigrant #miamiartist #pandemicresponse #creativeresponse #covid19art #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #pandemictimes #immigrantstories #sewing #garmentworkers #seamstress #factoryworkers #MariaLino #submityourart to @positivepandemiceexperiment 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject for more info DEADLINE JUNE 22!

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Jonathan Crow, living and working in Santa Clara, California My quarantine existence has not been terrible. My wife is able to work from home and thus we haven’t been under the cloud of financial anxiety. Also, everyone in my family seems to be taking this thing seriously and isn’t doing something stupid like publicly gathering to demand the local Applebee’s open up. The challenge for me has been balancing my art career with the demands of raising, and homeschooling, a very energetic six-year-old. In the first weeks, my wife and I had a strict schedule for homework, reading, and even crafts. Now we’re happy if he keeps his TV viewing down to about 6 hours. During the middle of the day, I spend a lot of time and energy getting him to do his homework and read a book or two. Then I usually manage to get to the studio for an hour or two in the afternoon. Before this whole pandemic thing, I painted pictures that sought to capture that frequency that has been lurking at the subconscious of white America since the turn of the decade: a feeling of ennui juxtaposed with a dim awareness that we are all blithely marching towards an apocalypse. The time of COVID has resonated with that vibe way more than I expected, so I just sort of ran with it. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #contemporarypainting #painting #narrativepainting #coronavirusart #californiaartist #pandemicresponse #creativeresponse #stories #covid19art #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #pandemictimes #whiteness #suburbia #ennui #whiteamerica #JonathanCrow #submityourart to @positivepandemiceexperiment 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject for more info DEADLINE JUNE 22!

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Adeboye Abiodun, living and working in Lagos, Nigeria I feel this period has made me think deeply about my creative works, the techniques, materials and exploration of ideas which have been generated due to the current situation in the world. It has enabled me to find new ways to communicate stories visually. The early days in this period allowed me to know more places around me while taking walks. I was able to study people and their responses to the COVID-19 lockdown. Many were absolutely sad and frustrated with a deep thought on which way to move forward. I personally reviewed my finances and made adjustments on my spending to keep working as an artist. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #contemporarypainting #painting #figurepainting #coronavirus #artist #nigerianartist #pandemicresponse #creativeresponse #stories #covid19art #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #pandemictimes #nigeria #africanart #africa #adeboyeabiodun #submityourart to @positivepandemiceexperiment 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject for more info DEADLINE JUNE 22!

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features art curator, Elena Jacobson, living and working in Los Angeles, California Every afternoon during the pandemic I have gone for a walk with my 8 year old son. One day we came across a rock garden peppered with adorable painted rocks. Participants are encouraged to take a rock, paint it and return it to the garden. I was immediately hooked. I have painted rocks almost every day since finding the garden. It has been a wonderful stress reliever for me. Each artwork can be completed quickly which keeps the process playful and stress-free. I love dropping off my rocks and seeing what new treasures my neighbors have added. Thank you to whomever started the rock garden. It makes me happy and keeps me feeling connected to art and community during this difficult time. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #rocks #painting #stressreliever #stressfree #rockgarden #covid19art #pandemicresponse #communitygarden #neighborhood #fun #funny #feelgood #feelingconnected #dailywalk #wehocommunityrockgarden #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #ElenaJacobson #submityourart 📧 with the word Guidelines in the subject matter Deadline JUNE 22

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Tessie Whitmore, living and working in San Diego, California I am working every day sometimes up to 10 hours a day to adapt 4 studio art classes into online art classes all in a tiny apartment I share with another person. I have no office, or appropriate desk/chair and no studio. This new life has driven me to want to go outside more than ever before. In line with social distancing, long car rides seem appropriate and in line with trying to make art post-studio, I’ve adapted my art practice into an adventure series. In the mountains and deserts of San Diego, there are many old dilapidated structures to explore. I am documenting these found spaces, some with brightly colored graffiti, torn out walls which open onto the landscape, full wardrobes strewn about, abandoned vehicles, all begging me to interact and create a moment. I am using my body as the medium. I am filling a void of the left behind with absurdist gestures that I quickly capture. I feel collaboration is the best tactic in this pandemic state. We can’t lose touch the with outside world, with nature and the physicality of people. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #performanceartist #performanceart #sandiegoartist #body #thebody #sandiegomountains#bodyinart #exploreoutdoors #abandonedplaces #gooutside #absurdist #gestures #onlinegallery #collaboration #withnature #onlineexhibition #TessieWhitmore #submityourart 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject info DEADLINE JUNE 22

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Camille Gouet, based in Brussels I made this drawing while COVID-19 lockdown. It represents my future house that I just bought with my husband in Brussels, and the idea of feeling of being safe at home. The feathers around and the cracking ground symbolize being alone but feeling good and peaceful with a light spirit. The blue color reassures me, calms me down; the drawing is a kind of meditation--a barring of my thoughts. The cracking ground may symbolise a kind of "end of the world”, a collapse, but I also see a lot of positivity, peace, and safety. This pandemic is terrible but I think there has some been some good consequences for people like me. I realise what really matters to me and am taking the time to observe nature, enjoy the present moment… I don't want to come back to the world of before. #positivepandemicexperiment #featuredartist #selectedartist #contemporarydrawing #pendrawing #bicpen #drawing #lockdown #brusselsartist #surrealism #dream #future #brussels #homesweethome #liveinpresent #onlinegallery #quarantineart #pandemicresponse #onlineexhibition #CamilleGouet #submityourart to @positivepandemiceexperiment DEADLINE JUNE 22, 2020 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject for info

Positive Pandemic Experiment (PPE) features Daniel Aksten, living & working in Pasadena, California This is the craziest time I have ever been through, not only because of the COVID-19 pandemic but also because of the killing of George Floyd and the protests and looting that followed. I make the same mistake every morning: I check the news, see the death count, and then look at the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has been tanking. When the Dow is down, collectors do not buy art and as we have been on lockdown, several of my expected sales were put on hold. All of these things are related and stressful; somedays, I get very little done in the studio, nor am I able to enjoy the fact that two different museums have each acquired a painting for their permanent collections, which, of course, has been my dream. With all this said, I am thrilled that the lockdown is beginning to be lifted. I have a haircut scheduled and soon I should be able to go workout at the gym. I have no idea what the “new normal” is going to look like, but I just look forward to the collective fear we are all experiencing dissipating and that we will be able to see each other's faces mask free. I think it will be great when we can smile at each other and have it be seen. Today, I will do some yard work as a physical distraction, then go into the studio to finish up a couple of new pieces. Perhaps tomorrow, I will not look at the news and just be thankful that things are starting to shift positively. I wish everyone the same peace and calmness I search for myself. I look forward to the day when we can hang out, talk about art, and listen to some music. I do believe that day is not far away! My best regards to you all! #positivepandemicexperiment #pandemicresponse #featuredartist #selectedartist #painting #dowjones #paintingonmetal #abstractpainting #laartist #abstractart #nonrepresentationalart #processpainting #colors #contemporarypainting #contemporaryartist #onlineexhibition #onlinegallery #danielaksten #submityourart 📧 with "Guidelines" in the subject for info

POSITIVE PANDEMIC EXPERIMENT