Deborah EaterCollage12 x 9""This was created for a friend who is a song leader and choir member at her church. The title, 'Songs of Praise,' was inspired by her favorite hymn, 'O God Beyond All Praising,' particularly the lines: 'We sing the love amazing that words cannot repay,' and 'And whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, we'll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless You still.' "I've had a very hard time doing anything creative since we began sheltering in place. Except for this one collage, I've mainly been doing extremely small, artist trading card-sized (3-1/2" x 2-1/2") black and white doodles. It's not just being unable to go to my studio. Normally I find challenges such as having limited equipment and supplies quite motivating, but for the past two months -- ever since the virus began making headlines and social distancing became part of our vocabulary -- it's been a struggle to find any creative energy. There is so much uncertainty ... not knowing if the economy will recover, not knowing how many of my friends will survive, and especially not knowing from day to day if I've already been infected. My whole existence feels like I'm just 'waiting for the other shoe to drop.' I'm not consciously thinking, 'if I start a large piece now, will I live to finish it?' but that's what I'm feeling in the pit of my stomach."
