Falling into Winter

By C.J. Lori | January 26, 2021

For many weeks, it was a glorious fall in Greater Boston. Knowing this time was fleeting, I tried to capture it in this painting. The leaves were changing color and falling, the number of Covid cases was falling, and the Trump administration was falling. Hope was in the air.

 

C.J. Lori, Autumn Passing, oil on canvas, 22″ x 28″ 2020

 

C.J. Lori. Detail of Autumn Passing

 

We continued our weekday walks through our neighborhood and our weekend hikes in wooded parks and reservations. I entered my paintings in shows further away, partly to discover new places to explore when dropping them off.

Gradually, it got colder and grayer. The leaves were gone, the case numbers were rising, and Trump wasn’t leaving without a fight. As 2021 began, we saw his deluded followers storm the Capitol. Life seemed pretty bleak. The amount of suffering and death from the pandemic was nearly incomprehensible. Our failure in response created a palpable, teeth-clenching rage within me.

Now our cherished walks are getting shorter as winter settles in. It is harder to find the beauty and inspiration in nature though I know it is always there. I reach out and grasp the promises of a new administration, vaccines, and a spring that must eventually come. Watching, waiting, and forever hopeful.

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6 Comments

  1. Lynn Hand on January 27, 2021 at 8:28 am

    I love seeing your paintings and reading your posts which are uplifting. I share your sentiments about Trump and his followers. I’m glad that he’s gone and pray that he never gets re-elected. Hopefully we’ll all get vaccinated and will feel safe.

    • C.J. Lori on January 31, 2021 at 9:07 pm

      I am glad you find my work uplifting. Your comment has the same effect on me!

  2. Paul Pedulla on January 28, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    C.J., this painting is a wonderful glimpse of transition. Nicely done.

    • C.J. Lori on January 31, 2021 at 9:08 pm

      Thank you Paul. I appreciate the encouragement!

  3. Ellen Bennett on January 31, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    The promise of Spring, such a breath of fresh air. As always, your work gets right to the heart of things.

  4. C.J. Lori on January 31, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    Thanks so much, Ellen, it is great to hear that you feel that way. I think we all need some validation these days when it feel like we are often lost in the weeds.

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