“It didn’t have to be this bad. Friday, July 10, 2020—125,590 dead.” (18”x36”)     Summer writes: “My job altered… income decreased, a quarantine break-up… isolation. I’m going to move and move again by the summer’s end. My lot’s fortunate, compared to many tragic aftermath situations. But, yes, even in this nook of northern New York, I acknowledge the effects; I was buoyant before and now I’m daily grieving the long standing–who knows how long it’ll last–disruption.”

“From the Warsaw Ghetto to Lake Clear, NY: Never Again” (16”x20”)     Dana’s
father died in the Holocaust, and she credits many courageous citizens for
smuggling her, and many other young children of Jewish descent, to safety.
Dana is outspoken, well-educated, and professionally accomplished, but the
45^th president’s dog whistles to the Proud Boys and neo-Nazi groups is a “little
close to home” and devastating.

“The day we were sent home to stay home. March 13, 2020. Essex County, NY.” (36″x48″)      First we were told to stay home for two weeks. Then we were told that everyone would be working online until May. We spent the months scouring the internet for news, guidelines, numbers. This is a portrait of my mother—her last six months of living were spent in isolation during the pandemic.

“‘Persuadables’ of Cambridge Analytica” (16″x20″)     I was moved by this couple’s
thoughtful questioning when I met them. And I was convinced that this was true,
too, of all they said and heard. They would not be one of the persuadables.

“Open your eyes and you will see us: Proud of my Latinx roots”  (24″x36″)     Maria remembers when, as a young child, her family was concerned that they might not be welcome in what her mother cautioned was the “deep rural north.”  She also remembers, years later, as her mother thanked a local business for a car repair, their knowingly reply was “you are one of us.” (Upper Jay, NY)

“Watching the healthcare debate: No pre-existing conditions allowed” (24″x36″)    Johanna and Nathaniel are my twin niece and nephew, and at the time this painting was made they were just shy of their 18^th birthday. Johanna’s preexisting condition may exclude her from health insurance. #sayyestopreexistingconditions.

“The Young Madonna Appealing to a Moral World Community” (24″x36″)    In this painting Shavon is questioning that a moral world community is even possible. All the time (she says) she reads that young black men are being killed by police who then are acquitted. But “people don’t want to read that news”.

“Why I Can’t Talk About Race to White People” (14″x26″)    This former student at North Community College is demonstrating
what it feels like to be a black person living in the mostly white community of Lake Placid and attending college in Saranac Lake.
This drawing was made in response to the death of Travon Martin.

“6 Things You Need To Know This Morning” (18″x36″)    Matthew is an avid researcher, and I would often see him reading multiple online newspapers and blogs in his effort to stay informed. He says that everyone is capable of doing and learning from basic research. (Upper Jay, NY)

“Waiting for the Philosopher King” (18″x36″)    Bruce thinks that Plato made a compelling argument in The Republic that requirements for leadership in public offices should be wisdom, integrity, and courage. Each evening, he scours the Internet for a Philosopher King.

“Taking a Knee for Justice” (18″x36″)   Larry and Jan have been married for over thirty years. Many years ago, Larry’s grandfather was lynched in Alabama. Larry “will never step foot in Alabama,” but he will always take a knee for justice.

“Ending the Cycle” (18″x36″)    This is Jon with his daughter, a high school student. She is an ice hockey player and Jon never misses a game. Jon served two tours during the Iraq War. If anyone could convince Jon to agree to give up his guns completely it is “the girl.” (Tupper Lake, NY)

“Just vote—but not against your own interests” (16″x20″)    This view of my father shows how I saw
him when I was a small child. This image was made a week before he died. He told me that people
in poor rural areas continually vote against their own interests, and that he hoped they “smartened up.”  

“Fact Checking” (16″x20″)     Bruce and Stephen are generally cautious about what they read and
hear and do a lot of fact-checking. This is a scene in our household that I see many mornings
as they review the days events.

“Podcast Meditation” (16″x20″)   Sometimes when Kathy feels saturated with online news articles
she unplugs and listens to podcasts and books on tape. She says there are things we can’t do anything
about.

“Connecting to the Protest” (16″x20″)  Bruce is writing to Elise Stefanik. He hopes he can persuade
her to stand up to the 45th president.

“An Independent Woman is Nothing to Fear” (16″x20″)  Leslie is a principled woman with strong
opinions. Charles is also principled with strong opinions and values this quality not only in his wife,
but in all women.

“Culture Wars” (16″x20″)    This was a commissioned painting.

“Watching History Repeat: 1933, 2016” (16″x20″)    My parents are listening to the 2017 Inauguration
speech online. They are deeply troubled by what they think is the Republican Party’s enabling
of the new president.

“Watching Human Rights Silently Legislated Away” (16″x20″)    Mia and Megan are well-read,
well-educated, technically savvy, and have informed views about gender and gender identity.