Ann G Rusky
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Isolation . . . Permission

4/15/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
My painting done with gouache
In some small way, this strange period of isolation feels freeing to me. I read about others feeing caged and restricted. Maybe it is my introverted nature, but I feel like I am given a free pass to stay home and focus on my interests. It is liberating. (But then, I don’t have small children at home I need to keep occupied.)

I have cut back from working so many days, so I have more time to myself. I am no longer doing errands or running here or there which uses up so much time. We now shop once a week for everything and live off that. We no longer go to restaurants, so we eat at home every night. We are not going to church or visiting family or friends. Our lives are now centered at home with immediate family. It’s as though we are in a little cocoon or pod and that feels cozy and right. 

It seems like I was given permission to no longer feel obligated to give others my time and attention. For the Easter holiday we didn’t have to juggle visits and split family gatherings. I didn’t feel pulled in one direction or the other. It was peaceful to eat together, just my husband and son, go for a walk, and have quiet time. It was different, and unusual, but I liked it. It makes me notice how much of my time or activity is doing what ‘I should do’ instead of 'what I want’ for myself. 

I never before realized how much more time I had to myself if I stopped being so busy. Being forced to stay home gives me permission to eliminate the extraneous from my life. It has given me boundaries I didn’t know I could make for myself. It is eye opening. It feels more healthy. 

Sure, there are loses and struggles at this time of quarantine. Job loss and no income from that hurts. And who knows what the days ahead will hold? No one knows what lies ahead or whose lives may be destroyed by this virus. But for now we can do what we can for our selves. Reaching out to help others is done differently now. A phone call Instead of a visit. Maybe we can use this time to gain a different perspective; to look at what we are gaining in this time instead of what we are losing. 

I’m working on it. 

[This illustratration I did specifically for this blog post. It is done with gouache on Arches Hot Pressed Paper. A quick little painting that ended up taking my 5 hrs. But that was 5 hrs I used to play and learn about the properties of gouache. I am thankful for the time to explore and paint.] Photo credit for Alamy Stock Photo of milkweed pod for reference
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2 Comments
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    Hi. I'm Ann.

    Welcome to
    My Drawing Board Blog.

    This is where I post my current thoughts and ideas about the topics that resonate with me, and how I work them out as illustrations. This is my work in progress.

    As an artist, I love to see the beauty in the world around me. I enjoy the play of color, patterns, and light. It is a challenge for me to try to capture the thoughts and images that inspire me.

    Sometimes, I like to quickly scratch ideas on paper. Other times, I like to take my time and work through images with color. 

    Each day brings a new perspective. This blog is my opportunity to share my thoughts and drawing process with you. 

    Thank you for visiting.

    You can keep up with me on Facebook, as well:
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    com/AnnGRusky/

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    ​Getting Creative About Functioning with LESS
    .


    Creativity takes on many forms. Currently, I am on a journey to live with LESS and I am trying to Make <LESS> Work for me and my family. 

    Hopefully my goal will inspire my whole household to make conscious decisions about our home environment and what we REALLY need to own. 

    My personal goal is to eliminate clutter, and make our surroundings creatively functional and beautiful.

    I am grateful to be able to share my thoughts, and illustrations with you.

    We'll see where this journey takes me!


    Make <Less> Work
    < In my Wardrobe
    < Household Products
    < Processed Food
    < Boxes & Stuff
    < Getting More Organized
    ​
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