“still life” shelter in place

For weeks, like everyone, my world has become smaller since sheltering in place during COVID-19. Life is limited to my house, backyard, neighborhood and infrequent trips to purchase essential food and supplies. With my husband and daughter at home, we share time together, cooking, cleaning, watching movies, and gardening in between our workday and online college study. Thankfully it is spring in Rhode Island. Each day I witness birds and other wildlife outside my window. I feel comfort from the sunshine. It brings me joy to see green buds and blooms emerge from the trees and the soil and I look forward to taking a walk outdoors each day. Even though my world is small it is filled with color, texture, and inspiration!

The idea of a “still life” came to me while photographing a textile for this new website. On my desk, in a vintage ceramic jar, I had placed a few woodland flowers that I picked from my walk earlier that day. The pretty color and delicate shapes of the tiny flowers inspired me to snap a photo of them with the embroidered textile as the backdrop. With three things from my limited surroundings, a flower from nature, an object from my home, and a textile, I had assembled my first “still life”.

To help stay creative while sheltering at home, I decided to make a daily “still life” for 30 consecutive days on Instagram. Honestly, these are unsettling times. Some days I don’t feel genuine inspiration, I feel sad and concerned for the suffering that people all over the world are experiencing. I almost stopped my daily posts several times. It was the feedback and comments from friends that encouraged me. I realized that many people look forward to seeing the daily “still lives” and they help to brighten their spirits! I hope you will follow along on Instagram.

To purchase the “Wishing Puff” and “Angel of Hope” prints on archival paper from this series www.etsy.com/shop/BespokeLuxe

Stay well and remember to find joy in the little things!

Paula