We’re starting an irregular series featuring works by members created in these interesting times. We’ll also include a short explanation of how the work came to be. With physical distancing there may be opportunities for artists to tackle projects requiring time and/or focus. Send an image of your very recent work to cagac.ca@gmail.com with about 100 words describing what you did, materials used, inspiration, etc. Maybe share how you’re feeling & how creativity helps. We’d like an informative, inspiring show & tell. For writers, send us poetry, lyrics, a short piece or excerpt.

First up, Bobi Leutschaft Poitras & the fifth in her red & black series, all strong works.

By Bobi Leutschaft. Finally finished. I’m happy to get this out of my head after so long. The feeling of the painting has been with me since my cousin died in November, the image since a local teenager’s wake.  

The title is Early Mourning. The mourning is obvious, but it’s also early morning (large, low sun).  Early can be referring to the time of day or an early death, as was the case with my brother, cousin, friend, and many others.  The flower is a sign of life, but a changed life – that’s why it’s black. The fallen petal is green, signifying renewal, but shaped like a teardrop.  The red at the top of the painting is not smooth, but dappled, suggesting clouds.  You can’t really see that in the photo.  Early Mourning can also refer to premature or future mourning, apropos of today’s crisis.  I didn’t choose the title until I sketched it out a week or so ago.

I obviously paint for myself.  I feel that sorrow needs to be commemorated.  I’ve tried to paint flowers in vases, but I can’t seem to paint something for the sake of hoping it will sell.  I wonder how many do – or are most painting what they love and it happens to be happy and cheerful and so it sells?  I’m well aware that most of my work is not something a person would want in their living room!