Diogo Goncalves (Lisbon, Portugal), The confinement projects us against the walls. The exterior light reflects us into the interior of our homes. Outside we are the projection of how we inhabit the house. In this time of physical interiorization, it remains for us to inhabit thought. Everything seems monochromatic. However, we are dissolving everything we are.
Kandy Garcia Lomelí (Willows, CA),
"The greatest compassion is the prevention of human suffering through patience, alertness, courage and kindness. It’s being tough on my family and myself, but we’re fighting through this pandemic, and we hope it will all be over soon, and we’re waiting patiently."
Katie Benson (Mapleton, UT), "Pandemic Poop", photography, 18x23", $300. Taking walks up and down my street, I noticed how much bird poop there is. I couldn't help but relate this to the pandemic where it feels like this virus just swooped in and pooped on every aspect of my life. I also couldn't help but notice the aesthetic qualities of these splats. And then it rained, washing away all the gunk. This is going to get better eventually. In the meantime, I'm choosing to deliberately see the funny poops, laugh about them, and make weird/gross/awesome art.
Amanda Thomas (Mount Shasta, CA), "Another Long Bath," Silver gelatin lith print, 11x14 inches, unframed, $75. As a solo parent, isolation in the home has been a running theme in my life since the age of 22 (I am now 31). I have an immense amount of empathy for others who experience long-term social isolation, including other parents like me, the elderly, the disabled, and others whose ability to be accepted and move freely in the world is limited by physical ability, responsibility, social exclusion, and other factors beyond their control.
In this current crisis, it seems the world is now having to lead a similar solitary, homebound existence. This self-portrait was taken several years ago. To me, it exemplifies the feelings that so many people must be experiencing currently, especially those of us who don't have anyone to ""stay at home"" with. I submit this image not only in solidarity with those who are staying in their homes alone, but with the many, many members of our society for whom social isolation is the reality of everyday existence.
Patrick Collentine & Susan Larsen, (Chico, CA), "Aromatic Leap", digital photograph, 10 x 10", $200. A mystical window swirl betrayed by the light"
Patrick Collentine & Susan Larsen, (Chico, CA), "Nebula Floating", digital photograph, 10 x 10 ", $200. Wet spring evening. A blue nebula floating, watching the angel.
Muyuan He (New York, NY), "Akabane #1", photography, NFS. Born in Wuhan and currently living in New York City, I have had so many feelings since January. Not all of those feelings are positive. However, I am grateful for the fact that, after the global quarantine started, the distance between my apartment in uptown Manhattan and my colleague’s house in Queens feels the same as the distance between me and my friends in other countries. Not long ago, my friend in Tokyo sent me a message, “this is her mom, because I don’t have Line. We cannot change our current situation now, but when things get better, come and play with us again.” The warm message brought me back to my friend’s neighborhood that I visited a couple of years ago. It gave me hope that one day I could see the same sceneries that I remember, from her window.
Muyuan He (New York, NY), "Akabane #2", photography, NFS. Born in Wuhan and currently living in New York City, I have had so many feelings since January. Not all of those feelings are positive. However, I am grateful for the fact that, after the global quarantine started, the distance between my apartment in uptown Manhattan and my colleague’s house in Queens feels the same as the distance between me and my friends in other countries. Not long ago, my friend in Tokyo sent me a message, “this is her mom, because I don’t have Line. We cannot change our current situation now, but when things get better, come and play with us again.” The warm message brought me back to my friend’s neighborhood that I visited a couple of years ago. It gave me hope that one day I could see the same sceneries that I remember, from her window.
Marc Mercado (Chico, Ca), "On the Floor", photography, NSF. My room has become everywhere I used to go: the gym, class, hangout spot, study area, and my dorm. I've been forcing myself out of bed everyday to work out and finish my assignments. I've had so much time on my hands, but social media has subjugated me. I would prefer to have the motivation to practice creative skills, but it's much easier to lay and scroll. I would prefer to go out, walk around, go back to class, back to work, back to my normal.
Jacob Owens (Long Beach, CA), "Confined with my cat", These past weeks have honestly blurred together for me. I suppose the time going by as quickly as possible is a good thing but I feel more removed from reality than I ever have before. Many of my friends feel the same way but they are much less content being at home than I am, probably because their families aren’t as relaxed. My family isn’t perfect but staying in for a while is an easy sacrifice when thinking about how the virus could affect both of my parents who are older and at a much higher risk than I am. I think that’s what makes me the most upset when I see people protesting or going to the beach like nothing matters but them. Not only are they endangering themselves, but they are putting everyone they come in contact with at risk of dying and I really thought that people were better. Adding to that, the virus has shown who is genuinely a good person and who the bad and selfish people are which is shocking but refreshing at the same time.
Cris Guenter (Chico, CA), "Beyond", photography, NFS.
Windows… Sometimes you are outside looking in and sometimes you are inside looking out. Either way there is always wonder at what is beyond that pane of glass. And that wonder can lead to some self-reflection. Currently, I am grateful for being able to get lost the lines, colors, and shapes that inspire me to make and share art.
Monica Castro (Orland, Ca), "We are OKAY", Sometimes it is pure happiness. Sometimes it is pure chaos. I always try my best to keep things positive and take care of the kids. In the beginning they could not grasp what was going on. We lost a lot of freedom. We lost a lot of health and strength due to fear. We will SURVIVE. WE ARE WELL. We are OKAY!
Cristina Hernandez (Chico, CA), "La virgencita ". I specifically chose this altar to photograph because I remember during holidays or after mass family and friends would come and pray the rosary together. After prayer we would sit together having hot chocolate or tea with cookies talking and enjoying each other’s company. Now it has become a corner of peace and silence for me. Whether it is one hour or five minutes where I am on my knees praying before work this corner has relieved me of panic, fear, and anxiety about what is going on around the world. I miss the times when everyone was around this corner, but now it has become a corner of my house I spend some of my spare time finding comfort and peace and I am grateful for this beautiful corner.
Benjamin Aquila (Huntsville, AL).
I want to make a world for myself in order to feel at home and at peace. This world in my mind and the one in front of me are very different, however, they can get along. Working with the space around me, one tree especially seemed like the perfect host for whimsical beans from my invented universe. Now, I have my Beanie Tree!
Richard Baldy (Chico, CA), "Slow Walk Reward", Digital Photograph, NFS. My pre-COVID-19 day almost always included a 4-6 mile, gratitude filled, camera-in-hand, stroll through lower Bidwell Park where I searched for photographic treasures as large as towering oaks or as small as delicate mushrooms sheltering in oak tree bark crevices. While this has not changed, my gratitude reflections are more expansive as I think of my good fortune compared to that of some many suffering in so many countries: My retirement income still comes. My wife of nearly 55 years is with me. Younger friends shop for our groceries. Zoom lets me see my friends and grandchildren, even though I miss their hugs. Blessed indeed!
Richard Baldy (Chico, CA), "Back Deck Safari", Digital Photograph, NFS. Ironically, my social life now is as full as it was pre-COVID-19. But now instead of joining friends for a walk followed by coffee and instead of converging in Ashland OR with our grandchildren for theater we have lengthy Zoom-mediated conversations. To substitute for live entertainment we bought a TV, after a couple of decades of living without one. In terms of activity, my life has changed little. Yet, I know for many it is otherwise, and I am acutely aware that at any time it may be otherwise for me as well. Each day of normalcy is precious.
Anna Campos (Yuba City, Ca), "Great Balloon Race", photograph, NFS. This piece reflects on a memory of a trip to Nevada, Reno during the Great Balloon Race, in which I spent time with my cherished family and best friend. It was breathtakingly beautiful to witness the rising of dozens of hot air balloons into the sky during sunrise. Despite infrequent visits to my best friend, I find that it is especially difficult to bear the time apart when the option to see them in person is removed under such stressful circumstances. I am especially grateful for the technology that allows us to communicate and keep in touch during this time. This time has allowed me to reflect on how much I appreciate those closest to me.
Rogelio Valdes (Corning, Ca), "Succulent Escape", I chose this image because it brings me joy and gives me an escape from current isolation. Lately it’s just been work, and home but through gardening me and my wife have been able to gain a sense of hope and sanity. Bright colors bring me joy as much as building something and being able to create something as small and simple as a succulent box or planting a tree is like a mini getaway. It is something that connects me to my surroundings and overall let’s me appreciate what I have and reminds me of how fortunate I am during these hard times.
Anna Campos (Yuba City, Ca), "Secluded Waterfall", photograph, NFS. This scene portrays a memory of a hike with friends and family at Table Mountain, Oroville, in which we hiked for hours to find a secluded waterfall. Once there, we returned to the dry, sunny path to relax and eat. I greatly enjoyed our time there, away from substantial urban infrastructure. The instances where we encountered other hikers consisted only of brief pleasantries. Despite my static inclination, I wish to go hiking once again in the future when it is a viable option.
Braeden Cook (Marysville, CA), "Yarn basket", In my time, social distancing I have taught myself how to crochet. Sitting in my families field and crocheting a sweater is very relaxing and unwinding for me right now. Before the quarantine was in place I still stayed at home most of the time so this wasn't a huge difference for me, though I do miss going to my classes in person. Since my whole family is immune compromised we are trying to be very careful, this has be very stress inducing for me but keeping my mind busy with hobbies and schoolwork has been helping a ton.
Diogo Goncalves (Lisbon, Portugal), "Dwell in thought #2"; photography. The confinement projects us against the walls. The exterior light reflects us into the interior of our homes. Outside we are the projection of how we inhabit the house. In this time of physical interiorization, it remains for us to inhabit thought. Everything seems monochromatic. However, we are dissolving everything we are.
Braeden Cook (Marysville, CA), "Delilah", Before the quarantine was put into place my family got a great Dane puppy. She had an infection in her brain recently and she is getting better very quickly, but taking care of her was one of the other ways I stayed busy. Staying busy with hobbies or chores is a way that helps me not think of everything going on as much.
Allen Dixon (Chico, Ca), "Magical Hummer", digital photo, NFS. I have a deck with a beautiful view. There is a humming bird feeder with a continual flying circus. How better to spend my time than taking pictures of the beautiful acrobatic clientele. It offers a temporary escape from the daily barrage of bad news.
Jennifer Weigel (Newton, KS), "Sky", This photograph was shot during a walk on April 14, 2020. The subject matter is intentionally blank and is just a shot of empty sky. In the midst of everything going on currently, with COVID-19 and the global impact and stay at home orders, I have found myself unable to focus. So many things seem far far away. Time seems unimportant. These artworks are about this detachment, about how one day bleeds into the next as weeks drift along without distinguishing characteristics.
Jennifer Weigel (Newton, KS), "Cloud", NFS. This photograph is #3 of a series of 4 that I shot during a walk on April 14, 2020. The subject matter is intentionally vague and foggy and is a close up study of a passing storm cloud. In the midst of everything going on currently, with COVID-19 and the global impact and stay at home orders, I have found myself unable to focus. So many things seem far far away. Time seems unimportant. These artworks are about this detachment, about how one day bleeds into the next as weeks drift along without distinguishing characteristics.
The other Clouded photographs in this series are available upon request. Ideally, I would like for them to be shown together.
Allen Dixon (Chico, Ca), "Magical Hummer", digital photo, NFS. I have a deck with a beautiful view. There is a humming bird feeder with a continual flying circus. How better to spend my time than taking pictures of the beautiful acrobatic clientele. It offers a temporary escape from the daily barrage of bad news.
Natsumi Fry (Chico, CA), "Liberty", NFS. Quarantine has been rough. I am disappointed and paranoid about racial discrimination that is going on right now. I am staying at home but am missing the fresh, outside air. I saw a pigeon through my living room window and felt jealous of how they are free from quarantine and society. I imagined him going off a journey. Like I was supposed to have with graduating this semester, except it got cut short because of the quarantine.
Remy Green (Yuba City CA), "Fountain", photography, NFS. This photo encapsulates my view while I lie under the pergola in my family’s backyard, which has been my refuge when being confined with the same people for weeks becomes taxing. I watch the hummingbirds drink from the fountain and perch on the hanging feeder, and it reminds me that, despite how we humans have been under immense stress as of late, life goes on.
Remy Green (Yuba City CA), "Sideways", photography, NFS. This photo encapsulates my view while I lie under the pergola in my family’s backyard, which has been my refuge when being confined with the same people for weeks becomes taxing. I watch the hummingbirds drink from the fountain and perch on the hanging feeder, and it reminds me that, despite how we humans have been under immense stress as of late, life goes on.
Joseph Silveira (Orland, CA). This is my view of the world today. With the epidemic happening all around, I still have to get and farm to provide food for the world. I have the privilege of seeing the beauty of nature every day and to witness how our food grows. This is something that can not be placed in the stay at home order. My day and work must go on.
Mohammad Tabusum (Biggs, CA), NFS. Ever since the isolation started I have felt like I have little to no energy to do anything. Everything seems really overwhelming. It’s hard to fall asleep but even when I do sleep I don't sleep enough. I feel bored and tired almost all the time. This picture I took shows something I do to pass the time when i'm feeling bored. When I was little I used to play this game all the time where you would use your hands in front of a bright light to make shapes and while in isolation I am back to playing it again. I keep myself from getting too worried about all of this by telling myself that the whole world is working on getting us through this and it won’t be long until everything goes back to normal which makes me feel better whenever I am feeling low.
Katsuki Takano (Buckhannon, West Virginia).
The virus has shut down many facilities, receded the economy and made us imagine cities like Detroit. I think all of America will face the same problem as Detroit, which once prospered as a result of the car industry, fell into ruin and became a desolate city. This picture shows that New England, which once prospered as a result of the steel industry, went out of business with the fall of the industry, and trains also was rough business and the roads were in disrepair. The virus lockdown is sad, but I'm glad to see this beautiful and sad landscape.
Katsuki Takano (Buckhannon West, Virginia) "Stay Strong".
This is a picture when I saw that the United States is strong even if it gets hit hard by a virus.
The Stars and Stripes, the symbol and hope of the American people, always to flutter in the wind strongly.
Miriam Lopez (Escondido, CA), It’s a strange time in which we’re all living in. I would have never expected for the entire world to shut down like this. Ever since we were declared under quarantine, I look out into my kitchen window right above my sink and I check how the day is illustrated. The crazy thing is that within the past couple of weeks I have seen days that go from gloomy greys no sun, to heavy rain showers, or to beautiful and warm sunny days. I feel as if every day has a new beginning to it and I always try to determine the weather conditions just through looking out my kitchen window. I am a strong believer in the saying that “everything happens for a reason” I guess that’s what we ought to discover.
Nathan, Ash, Oxnard, Ca
In this time of rapid and pervasive change, my internal systems of growth have been at maximum capacity. I, like the unfurling plant pictured, have been in a stasis at the roots, attached tenuously by my untested faith and trust in human nature and personal relationships. This crisis has tested my resolve and exhausted my storehouse of reserves unpleasantly, unwillingly, unwittingly, and understandably, unfurling the very “tip” of my growth and development. My soul strives for the light while my body and mind strain to remain attached to the core structures of Creation.
Nathan, Ash, Oxnard, Ca
Just before the crisis I was enmeshed deeply in a self-destructive addictive path, fighting within my heart over past pains and traumas. I came across this lupine in full bloom on a short walk along a path above my university. In the overcast and misty weather its beauty stood out so brightly that I had to study its beauty up close. It was a signal or symbol to me that expressed the hidden beauty contained deep inside of me, covered by the pain on the outside. Then the pandemic hit; my soul fought to be acknowledged as the lupine among the weeds.
Kandy Garcia Lomelí (Willows, CA), "Isolation", photography, NFS. The greatest compassion is the prevention of human suffering through patience, alertness, courage and kindness. It’s being tough on my family and myself, but we’re fighting through this pandemic, and we hope it will all be over soon, and we’re waiting patiently. Isolation, photography,
Sanjua Arellano (Marysville, CA) “7:24pm on a Sunday evening on my way to visit my sister. Looking through the car window and seeing lonely freeways. Remembering how crowded these were before . This picture shows how dramatically things changed during this pandemic. The feeling of loneliness and solitude is what I get when looking at this picture. Soon we will come together once again.”
