Stock Up

framed oil on canvas 2020- “Stock-Up” is a reflection on the hoarding mentality that surfaced during the first few weeks of the shelter-in-place mandate. The painting addresses the discomfort and uncertainty of adjusting to the extreme conditions of the pandemic. Shelves were emptied entirely in most grocery stores. Those who were quick and could afford to stock up did so in mass quantities. Those who weren’t quick enough to get there or could not afford to stock up were out of luck. As the world shut down and my access to traditional supplies and tools dwindled, I discovered a newfound resourcefulness. Material limitations quickly became a serious consideration for my practice. I shifted suddenly from casting bronze and playing with laser printers to working exclusively with the tools and materials in my small apartment. This piece was created using scraps of recycled canvas from a previous painting as well as oil paint. The scraps of canvas and remnants of paint became a testament to my resilience and adaptability despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic.