It’s Fall now. The air is crisp in the shade all day, making the sun’s warmth, where found, ever more delicious. In any normal year, I’d be scrambling right now to finish all the half-made baskets and art experiments that I’d started but pushed to the side for other priority work and deadlines. That would always manage to fill the small gallery space at Sydni Sterling’s Studio for the Art in the Woods Studio Tour. But not this Fall. Most public events where I live are postponed for the health and safety of our community.
Artists like myself who relish solitude, in this era of Covid-19, are getting all the time they’ve ever wished for to do their work. But I must admit, that the deadlines that exhibits and shows impose upon us, can make us more productive. For now, I’m going with the flow, trying to stay healthy, keep others safe, and get some work done. What I am missing most is being able to hug my dad, my children and my grandchildren. What I’m exceptionally thankful for is being in this crazy time together with my husband and soulmate of nearly forty-two years.
I’m also grateful for the commissions that have come during these months, and for the invitation to exhibit my work in the J&M Davidson’s Flagship Store in London during the London Craft Week 2020 which is happening right now. Sorry I couldn’t be there in person, but I’m delighted to be involved from afar. Here is their interview with me in their Meet the Maker Journal. https://en.jandmdavidson.com/blogs/journal/london-craft-week-2020-with-melinda-west Please stay well, and keep making and growing what you can.
