Together/ Apart: The COVID-19 Community Memory Archive

Labor Day at Oceanside Harbor

Pen and paint sketch of Labor Day at Oceanside Harbor.

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

"Nineteen"

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

"Liberty for All" Painting

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

Marilyn in Isolation

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

"The New Norm" Paintings

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

#ThankANurse Painting

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

6 months with no hugs & pets

Pixie & I were a team with Love On A Leash for 11 years going to many places to make people feel better. That included CSSM Pause for Paws.

Back in late Nov. 2019 I was diagnosed with Leukemia. After a month in the hospital I returned home & was placed on restricted visits since I was immune comprised. Then the Corona virus hit and I was really put on lockdown. That has meant Pixie, my therapy dog is home bound also. I know she misses her calling even though she can't tell me other than looking at me with sad eyes.

So many lives have been impacted by no visits from therapy dogs across the country. Here it is almost May and we are still on lock down. It will probably be months yet before therapy dogs can go out & do their magic. Care facility, schools, libraries, & camps will be last to resume.

Pixie is 14 now, so maybe her & I will not be able to return when things reopen. 11 years of making people smile is bitter sweet.

Pandemic strikes beach volleyball--Two lonely flag-covered volleyball poles.

Volleyball was growing by leaps and bounds. This area was covered with beach volleyball players all day every day. No matter if it was rainy, cold or windy, nothing could stop the beach games. Along came the pandemic.

Lonely Whiteboard

Whiteboard with work on it left as is when campus shutdown.

One per elevator

Signage in the elevators in CSUSM Kellogg Library.

Six Feet at the Vista Courthouse

Spacing decals in front of the North County (Vista) Superior Courthouse.

Tags Government and governance

Masks

Photograph of 29 masks made over the previous weekend for donation to Rady's Childrens Hospital, San Diego. Not something I ever dreamed I would spend my weekend doing. Using Indonesia batik fabrics from a prior career.

Muramid Art & Cultural Center Outdoor Murals by Marilyn with Joanne

Photographs of mural at Muramid Art & Cultural Center in process of being painted by Marilyn Huerta. Photographs by Joanne Tawfilis.

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar