"Reef" and "Parasite! Painting Progress

Oddly as scary as things are, I've been enjoying everyone reaching out and connecting to one another. Everyone is at least a little afraid right now, which means everyone is connected, and I'm so bloody soft that I can't help but think that's beautiful. People are great on the whole. But yes- like ah you're having an overwhelming panic attack induced by feeling like you have zero security in your life right now? I know how that feels. Have you tried xyz. I've been talking to a lot of people and helping them accept they're allowed to try and find moments of happiness- like finger painting, watching their favourite cartoon, skype karoke etc. I'm reading Moby Dick right now! Which also means I'm painting sperm whales with an obsession that would make captain Ahab say '#mood'. But after Moby Dick I'm going to read the Earthsea books by Ursula K Le Guin. I think fantasy will help right now :D I'm regretting my personal challenge to read more 'hard lit' now, because whilst it's excellent, it's not so good for escapism. Hope you're prioritising your health and that you and your boyfriend are both ok. This will pass :)

Thank you Sasha! Gnarly textures are my favourite :D Glad to hear you're doing ok, I'm a hermit myself, so nothing has dramatically changed for the time being, other than my boyfriend now working from home and us trying not to go out. Thank god for skype and social media :) Walks are good, we need to go on some too. Glad you're taking care of yourself :) I'll see if I can come up with a fun project!

Same here, it's beginning to happen, and my family in France is in complete lockdown too. It gives the wold the strangest ambiance. I hope you are ok yourself, I'm glad you like the pieces! Sending you love <3

I'm sorry things are scary right now, I hope you have some sort of job security, and have loved ones around you that can help sustain your mental health while this goes on? I agree with your next point, I am fairly the same. I think there is sort of a grounding effect that comes from having gone through life-altering events, that can fuel anxiety but also, paradoxically, help in relativising and helping others through it too. And thank you for your lovely offer :) What are you reading? I'll see if I can organise anything fun!

I love these pieces!! Especially the textures/way you did the reddish ‘plants’ in reef! I’m doing well. I’m used to staying inside a lot. I miss not being able to see my friends and just organize a get together anytime/place we want. I’ve been trying to stay in as much as possible, but my legs felt really stiff last night from lack of exercise, so I had to go for a walk. I didn’t see anyone, so I’ve decided to take night time walks whenever I need them. I hope you’re doing well 💜 and I love the idea of a community project or something! 😊

Sasha Fitzgerald

These are gorgeous! I'm in Washington State and it's crazy here. Schools, restaurants, coffeehouses are all shut down. It's scary that the world is changing and we can't predict what's going to happen.

Hope you're ok too! I'm ok. A little worried about work, and feeling the threat that my mental health support is being suspended, but I'm reminding myself it's all temporary. I've discovered the fact I've been through a few life changing personal tragedies means I've learnt how to handle the swings in thoughts and feelings when things go off course. When I've been talking to friends and family those who have been through life changing events have been able to really help people who are scared by how much the world is changing. It's been almost nice to be able to do that, something i feel a touch guilty about. I've been spending a lot of my newly free time writing and reading to distract myself, so I'd be up for anything you want to organise - or to try and help if I can.