Pandemic, Riots and Art

Photo Credit: Myra Naito

A pandemic, riots and art. We’re not quite halfway through the year and that’s what 2020 boils down to so far. By late 2019, there were the beginnings of the reports of a pandemic coming from Wuhan, China. The first case in the U.S. was reported in January 20, 2020. We were distracted from that six days later by the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter. By February 11, 2020, WHO names the coronavirus, COVID-19. March 11^th, WHO officially labels COVID-19 as a pandemic.

By the time President Trump declares a state of emergency, my employers in the State of Hawaii, were already preparing to send us home to work remotely. By the end of March, the U.S. was locked down and everyone deemed non-essential was working from home. Many others were laid off. Toilet paper and disinfectants of all sorts could not be found. The DOW plunges.

It doesn’t take long before people become irate about masks and stay at home orders.

Somewhere in the mix, we’re warned about murder hornets, which were then overshadowed on May 25^th by the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed and already restrained black man, by a white cop with a history of excessive force. Three other cops stand by and watch this man slowly die. Outrage ensues. Peaceful protests turn violent by some who seem to have an agenda. We’ve just reached the end of May.

NYPD clashes with protesters (Photo Credit: abcnews.go.com Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

In most cases, it would be earth shattering enough to have a pandemic. But it seems every month has brought something new and utterly shocking.

Events the world over have been canceled. People everywhere are going absolutely bonkers staying at home. And now, due to the rioting, curfews are being enforced in states across the U.S.

A pandemic, riots and art. The art part is my channel.

Meanwhile, I’ve been happily staying home. Yes, I am happy staying home. I’d rather be home than out in public any day. But that’s not to say that world events do not cause me any stress, even from the safe comforts of my home. There is anxiety about keeping my 90-year-old father safe from the virus. Wiping down counters, mail, packages, and groceries. Making sure he wears his mask when he has to go out. Making sure he is still able to visit with his grandson safely.

And let’s face it, watching cities burn is disturbing.

Art is how I’ve channeled that anxiety and stress out of myself and into something productive. I’m pretty sure that the vast majority of artists the world over are doing the same. Some may be illustrating the events taking place. For me, I am able to channel that emotion into my portraits, turning it into something beautiful and meaningful to the clients who have commissioned me.

Drawing is a meditative experience and calms the anxiety felt during a pandemic and riots. It can shut the world out for at least a little while. (Photo Credit: Myra Naito)

It’s not a conscious thing, really. I turn on some kind of mellow music or nature sounds and I draw. Once I am immersed in my drawing, it’s very much like a meditation. Creating art is a cathartic experience for me. It’s been that way since I was very young. I’m willing to bet that all artists feel the same.

It’s barely the beginning of June. There are a full seven months to go until we reach 2021. It will be interesting to see if it will just be a pandemic, riots and art, or if there will be more chaos to add to the mix.

The way the year has gone so far, it wouldn’t surprise me.