SOLITARY

I guess we’ve all learned a lot about the word ‘solitary’ in this age of Covid-19 and social distancing. I thought this watercolor painting I did a few years ago was an appropriate piece for this topic.

The raven is most often seen as a lonely sentinel haunting the desolate canyons and rugged mountains here in Arizona. Native Americans attributed mystical qualities to this highly intelligent bird. This particular encounter took place on Montana Mountain as I explored the wilderness in search of a perfect photograph. Returning home, I reviewed the days photos and this one called out to me, inspiring me to paint it.

I think it’s interesting how many of us are drawn to places where we can find solitude from civilization, but when we find ourselves forced into a pseudo-solitude by the pandemic, we don’t find it nearly as enticing. Somehow, it feels more like solitary confinement. I don’t suppose the difference requires a lot of analysis. Being confined by the walls of human construct hardly compare to being surrounded by the beauty of nature, and, of course, choosing solitude is far more appealing than it being forced on you.

Despite the negative impact of the lock down, I hope it has also taught us a lesson, leaving us a little more cautious in regards to taking so many things in our lives for granted. Like Joni Mitchell said in her famous song, Big Yellow Taxi, “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.”