Painting tiny bears to relieve my anxiety during Covid-19

I am writing this during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. A few weeks into New York City’s stay-at-home order, I quickly realized I needed some sort of creative outlet while we are all trying to do our part by staying home and socially distance. Complaining about cabin fever eventually made me feel ungrateful when I see how our frontline workers are literally risking their lives to fight this pandemic. I got myself some clay, a gummy bear mold and have been making and painting a couple bears each day. This project has really helped to calm my nerves – I feel peaceful when I paint and each one of these bears has made me smile.

Wear A Mask, Not A Chin Guard

I have been watching New York Governor’s Cuomo’s daily briefings to keep up-to-date on COVID-19 – I love his no bullshit approach to delivering the important information. Tuning in everyday has helped me to be informative and somewhat calm my anxious feelings about the virus.

I am so perplexed how wearing a mask has become such a controversial topic. I would think we would all want to do our part to collectively stop the spread of the virus. When I saw the governor’s PSA on masking wearing, it made me so sad that he has to talk to us like his misbehaving children, but it also made my laugh so hard. I must have watched this clip about 20 times.

His message is simple:
WEAR A MASK, COVERING THE NOSE AND MOUTH

I was inspired by the hilarious lip-sync impression videos from comedian Sarah Cooper. All I have is time now with sheltering-in-place at home so decided to put my memory to the test (which is not great) and created my own version with Governor Cuomo’s wise and humorously pointed words.

I’ll say it again, wear a mask. Yes, it’s super annoying, hard to breathe in and mine gets super damp from all the huffing and puffing in this summer heat, but let’s all do our part to stop this virus.

Team Issa ♥ Lawrence

I spent this past Sunday afternoon listening to all the tea on the Shane Dawson/Jeffree Star drama while illustrating my current favorite TV couple - Issa and Lawrence from HBO’s Insecure. It was really fun experimenting with the different brushes and tools on Procreate while wondering what will happen to their relationship with the revelation that Condola is pregnant. Ah, I can’t wait until the next season!

Mini Floral Arrangements

I was planning to buy some flowers for my friend who is returning to Brooklyn after being on the West Coast since March, but when I saw these in my craft box I knew they would make for the perfect ‘welcome home’ gift.

As I have written many times on this blog, I try my best to refrain from buying unnecessary things and find joy in figuring out ways to breathe new life into unwanted/old objects. So naturally I got very excited by the idea of giving these flowers a makeover and a new home.

Originally, I was planning to make one arrangement, but decided to make a trio of mini arrangements with some glass tubes I had around the apartment. I think they turned out so darling and cute! They make me smile.

A Friend says Goodbye to NYC during the pandemic

COVID-19 has infected and affected so many lives in ways that make my head spin when I think about it. It is not lost on me how blessed I am that my family, friends and I are healthy and that I have a job. I know that so many are not as lucky.

The virus resulted in a chain of events that ultimately led to my friend’s decision to move back to California. I am always sad when close friends move away, but this one, in particular, felt so unfair. But, I know she is making the best decision for herself.

I really wanted to do something unique and uplifting during our last hangout. I came across these Instagram photos taken in Gowanus, an industrial part of Brooklyn and thought it would be perfect if we created our own version of this woven tape street art.

I picked up some bright orange flagging tape and headed to Gowanus early Memorial Day morning. After combing the streets to find the perfect spot, we settled on this fence covered with lush late-spring foliage on Douglas Street, across the public swimming pool. I had asked Wendy to think of a word or short phrase she wanted to weave and she did not disappoint with several great options, including ‘take risks,’ ‘trust the journey,’ and ‘reset, rethink, release.’

Both of us were nervous that a passerby would tell us to stop or, worse yet, call the cops. But, luckily the street was quiet with just a handful of few pedestrians. One guy even loitered across the street, curious to see what we were doing.

Any guesses on what we spelled out?

I simply love how this turned out. ‘Embrace change’ feels especially befitting in this moment when so many of us are feeling so uncertain. The motto reminds me of one of my favorites by Bruce Lee – ‘be like water.’ The only sure thing in life is change and sometimes we should not resist it, but lean into the sometimes uncomfortable and scary feelings that come with change knowing that on the other side we will be better for it.

I truly believe that sometimes we are forced to move on from a place, a job, a bad relationship, or a situation to make room for something greater. And, there are great things in store for you, Wendy. When I found out that we had a shared love for Oprah and Flamin Hot Cheetos a few years ago, I knew I wanted to be friends with you and I feel so blessed to call you one. I will miss your company and spirit, I wish upon you all good things in California as you recharge and begin a new chapter in your life. ♥