Phenomenon of the Image
Welcome Back
A happy bear radiates general groovitude with an open heart above her head.
Pastel on cardboard. Created on June 28, 2020, in San Diego, California.
Behind the Image
I’ve recently begun going to Art Church. Every other Sunday, Art Church provides a secular opportunity to spend two hours in a virtual space with others, where all we do is create and share our art. It’s fantastic, and something I had been sorely needing during these times of insanity and prolonged stress.
This Sunday I had reached a point where stress, deadlines, expectations, and world events had pushed me to the limit. My world had become all the serious things all of the time, and that’s not me at my core. I was done being in my head, getting things done, making things happen. I needed some time to simply play and just be.
In past weeks, my Art Church creations have been reflections of the times, ending up as sociopolitical explorations of the self. This time I resolved to not “process” anything; this time, I would simply give myself permission to play. I found some old pastels, tore a flap off of a cardboard delivery box, and just started playing. It was wonderful, getting my fingers (and my desk!) all powdery with pastel chalk! And what wanted to emerge, emerged. Apparently what wanted to emerge was a bear.
I dig her. She’s a happy bear. She was happy to see me playing again, finally, after what felt like a very long time. I could see her joy in her face and I could hear her words to me: “Welcome Back!”
Thanks, Happy Bear! It’s good to be back!
