Shelter in Place

Acrylic on canvas
20″ W x 24″ H
This painting was created in response to the pandemic during official shelter in place orders. The inspiration draws on how one would build a shelter in the forest, a structure constructed in preparation for living exposed to natural elements – an absolute must for the chance of survival in harsher environments.

Instead of gathered sticks and forest debris, the construction is oddly made from neural connections, because as important as our physical surroundings are to our state of living, our thought life holds the key to thriving within whatever the circumstances may be. The reality is each of us is crafting a space in which to live and the quality of that structure is revealed when the storms come. Our thoughts can either build a solid shelter for protecting us well or a haphazard frame destined to come crashing down, leaving us trapped and even more vulnerable.

This lean-to, neural structure symbolizes the importance of controlling our thoughts while forced to hunker down in the wilderness of the pandemic. By examining the notions which have taken up residence – the fear, anxiety and grief – we can tend to the places in need of renovation and repair, nurturing deeper personal growth and establishing a healthier place to dwell.