C. Slichenmyer

Media/Medium: Oil pastel, oil paint sticks, graphite on acid free paper. Over acrylic ground.
Dimensions (L x W x H): 22 3/8” x 16 1/4”
Weight: a few ounces.

Description:
An early fall day on the James River, with dramatic clouds

Artist Statement:

Painting and drawing has kept me relatively sane during the pandemic, I think. Being able to go outside. Painting plein aire. It gives one a measure of personal space, which was much needed. Two disabled adult children, both of whom have depression and anxiety, have been living at home. Also, husband working from home. Two big dogs and diabetic cat! We all live together in a little brick rancher. Yes I feel tremendously lucky that we are housed and fed. And yet the urge to scream at the top of my lungs only abated when I was able to go to my studio, pick up a brush or a marker or a pencil and vent on paper (I also vented weekly to my talk therapist via Zoom). As I said, I feel tremendously lucky. It’s been hard. Life IS hard. Painting, drawing, mixing colors, reveling in everyday beauty, is now and has always been, soothing to my soul.