The current situation

A lot has changed lately. I canceled my shifts when it didn't feel right to keep gathering while other countries where already in lockdown and regretting not to have had the opportunity to isolate sooner. I fixed a few things on the boat to be ready to isolate on it, and for a week I continued to cycle to my studio, knowing it won't last. On Monday I said good bye to bigger paintings and took what I could with me. Not going to lie, there was tears and fear of the unknown.

However I'm feeling incredibly grateful. I have a place I can call home, with little but more than enough. I have the possibility to draw and paint every day, to keep my hands and mind busy. I can slow my pace to the one of direct observation, or get lost in my imagination.

I finally found time to paint the inside of my boat. That was incredibly soothing. I became appreciative of every little corner and remembered the objects that have accompanied me, from childhood, from later, from France, accross the Channel.

I started painting those objects, one at a time, for a couple of hours a day. I picked a roll of offcut, worked right to left (I'm left-handed), letting a composition appear little by little. This project was the idea of celebrating those little totems that are dear to me, that bring me joy and strength just by looking at them. It also helped tremendously to have a focus, a plan every morning. I didn't have to think about what to paint, nor invest too much thoughts judging a painting, I just had to sit at my desk and paint. I finished the roll earlier today, and put it aside to dry. A little painting that helped me calm down for a week.