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Artists in the time of Coronavirus, an ongoing virtual exhibition, Part 51

We proudly present part 51 of our open call, non-juried, online exhibition entitled "Artists in the time of Coronavirus!" A huge thank you to our 300+ participants! The deadline to submit is July 29, 2020 at midnight. More details in the post.

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Our fifty-first post of the series, Artists in the Time of Coronavirus includes L.L. Gross, Beryl Brenner, Annie Mason, Thomas Sonnenberg, and Joanna Walitalo! Thank you for sharing with us and the Philly art community!

We have gotten over 300 submissions, and we are so grateful to all participants. The time has come to close our inbox to submissions. So if you want to participate, send your statement (250 words max) and 2 photos to support@theartblog.org before July 29, 2020, at 11:59 PM. More details here. Stay safe and stay positive, and come back in the days to come for more “Artists in the Time of Coronavirus.” We have a wonderful community and are so proud of being able to share everyone’s art.


L.L. Gross

A paper strip sculpture outlining a human body constructed on the structure of a three pronged, long piece of wood that is in a triangular shape.
Artwork by L.L. Gross. Courtesy L.L. Gross.
Many human bodies constructed out of paper strips formed together as if they are dancing together in close proximity.
Artwork by L.L. Gross. Courtesy L.L. Gross.

The horror started with the election and I couldn’t stop watching.
I became addicted to the news, surfing multiple sites and falling asleep with MSNBC podcasts playing in my ear.

I self medicated with life drawing classes at Fleisher which influenced this body of work. Recycling materials and techniques but adding figurative imagery, this work is a visceral reaction to the political horror show that has resulted in the coronavirus ransacking all our lives.


Beryl Brenner

A brown background with colorful swatches collaged on top and leafless, black tree silhouettes in the foreground.
Beryl Brenner, “Forest Fires” mixed media. Courtesy Beryl Brenner.
Materials like paper, styrofoam, and fabric blend together to create an underwater scene of brown, green, and white.
Beryl Brenner, “Coral Without Color” mixed media. Courtesy Beryl Brenner.

Hot Planet

I admit it. I’m guilty. We are all guilty. We buy bottled liquids at the grocery store and they are packed in plastic bags. We use plastic knifes and forks. We use gas cars instead of electric ones. We consume tons of things that we don’t even need. The list goes on and on and nobody is pure.

Like many people, I have begun to worry about this. But what can I do? I am far from perfect but I do recycle more than I ever did.

I have been working on an art project about climate change and I have been using a number of recycled materials for this series. This approach is in the spirit of the concept. It is as much therapeutic as it is creative because I worry. We all should. Climate change humbles us all. Its implications are so vast. It reminds us that no matter what we do it is bigger than us all so we all better understand the we need to be on the same page worldwide.

We were warned. We knew. It did not have to get this far. We didn’t care enough because the Earth had always been good to us and nurtured us. We should have nurtured it more.

Beryl Brenner/ Beryl2b@yahoo.com


Annie Mason

Digital collage of watercolored flowers and text.
Annie Mason’s logo. Courtesy Annie Mason. (Text: ANNIE MASON / watercolor artist / @anniespalette)
Photo collage of flowers and text boxes on a gray background.
Photo collage courtesy Annie Mason. (Text: “Mayday, mayday, mayday”; “MAY DAY 2020”; “BLOG”; “ANNIE MASON”)

I begin this new month having endured, with the rest of the world, the daily existence in the time of coronavirus. How has it only been five weeks? My generation, as a unit, have survived crises: World War II, mass shootings, 9-11, the DC snipers (a local event that created such fear in our own home), but this seems all-encompassing and affects so much of our life. Yet, life goes on, or tries to. Artists have created lasting images of events: think Civil War, the Depression, Women’s Right to Vote, 1960s protests, and more.

Does my own art have this impact? No. Of course not. I’m not famous. My followers , however, have increased since 2015 when I started painting in watercolor, scanning the images, and posting on social media sites. Selling? Yes. That’s not why I do it, the extra income, however, is nice. I will continue to pick up a paintbrush, or pen, and put my own hand to paper. It’s what I do. I still post almost daily from at least one of my Print on Demand (POD) shops. Is this a “mayday” crisis? Perhaps. There is a tension in the air that is palpable. No one wants to get sick. I remember that for flowers to bloom, they need plenty of water, sunshine, and nourishing soil. With patience, blossoms are sure to come.

I hope you browse this website. I am lucky not to have to sell my art as my only source of income. Please browse these shops: Society6 Redbubble and zazzle.

Feel free to check my products or search another topic and find another artist and brighten their “mayday” with a purchase.

[Note: Check out Annie’s blog]


Thomas Sonnenberg

Sculpture of a green mask with crooked features looking downcast and distressed.
Thomas Sonnenberg, “Self-Portrait Mask made during the pandemic,” 2020, Sawdust, paper pulp, flashe Courtesy Thomas Sonnenberg.
Mosaic style portrait of a masculine young human with angular features and a shaved head.
Thomas Sonnenberg. “Portrait made during the pandemic,” 2020, eggshells, oil, on arches. Courtesy Thomas Sonnenberg.

For the first month of the pandemic, I was frozen and unable to work. One day, I was able to work again. I made works that explore states of being. I’m working in multiple mediums. Here are two.

I just started an Instagram account: tomsonnenbergart

Because I’m older, I’m still self-isolating. Hope you find theses images interesting.


Joanna Walitalo

Delicate drawing of a tiger crouched over watching intently at what is likely their prey, not shown in this imagery.
Artwork by Joanna Walitalo. Courtesy Joanna Walitalo.
Delicate tendering of a seated male bodied person holding a child in their arms and kissing their head.
Artwork by Joanna Walitalo. Courtesy Joanna Walitalo.

I am an artist in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I earned a BS in Biology and Environmental Policies from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Forestry From Michigan Technological University. With a scientific background and a lifelong love for artwork, the two intersected when I picked up pyrography (wood burning) 4 years ago. When the Corona Virus hit, I lost my job at the University, and began doing artwork full time to support my family. My husband has been an instrumental part of the process, giving his full emotional support to my work, and preparing all the wood-cutting, planing, sanding it, and finishing each piece after Ido the artwork, by applying 3 coats of polyurethane and a hanger on the back. We use all scrap wood to build environmental conscientiousness into the art. We ship worldwide and accept commissions. Feel free to follow us at https://www.facebook.com/J.Walitalo.art

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