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Lorene Edwards Forkner's avatar

I always have rocks in my pockets, they seem to find their way there independently. I cherish their surface texture —pro tip: only collect smooth rocks. I love the clicking sound they make as they jumble around each other. But most of all they ground me, give me something solid to hold in my hand (fist?). Every once in a while I empty my pockets when the weight grows burdensome and scatter my rocks around the house, by my elbow as I drink morning coffee (like now), clustered in small bowls where they can get to know each other, and ready for me to revisit when I need to keep from floating away on a fever dream. xo

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Anne Belov's avatar

and if they get restless, they can always be set free in the garden. There is something about those smooth stones...very comforting. These came from the writer/illustrator retreat we took last month on Guemes Is.

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Lorene Edwards Forkner's avatar

Every time I hear “retreat” I hear angels singing

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Margaret Gruen's avatar

Love your artwork.

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Gloria's avatar

Its a comfort just knowing there are so many of us feeling the same way (or weight). Thanks for being a constant source of comfort. Oh, okay, some of that praise goes to the pandas, too.

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Anne Belov's avatar

It does help, doesn’t it? And pandas get A LOT of the credit.

I went to our modest little protest today. All told, it must have been 4-500 people, stretched out along the highway intersection, from the Park & Ride to the nearby shopping center. It lifted my spirits to know I’m not alone.

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Rebecca Fialkowski's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

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B.W.J.'s avatar

How did I miss this? I found this! What a treasure of artwork from you! I love all of these pieces! I must have been deep in my iron deficiency madness and was not aware of these pieces! I love them!

Did you write an explanation of how these are created? I am such an idiot! More later!

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B.W.J.'s avatar

I know what you mean on explaining how things are created! It is like me waxing poetically over United States Tariff Policy from 1828 to 1850 (and that is as exciting as watching paint dry! Very, very slowly drying!!) No, your art and its process of creation is not boring!

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Anne Belov's avatar

I haven’t written a lot about how I do these. I need to stop and take some process shots for a deeper dive into the monotype process. I find it all quite interesting. Not sure if it will be like explaining/watching how paint dries to everyone else.

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Jerrold Connors's avatar

Love those pieces and am thankful for what you wrote and, of course, the pandas. Best to you in these rough times.

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Anne Belov's avatar

Oof! these times! Art, pandas, and kind friends and strangers keep me afloat. It remains to be seen how this will all come out, but I am encouraged by the continuing growth of peaceful protest. Make art! Make more art! Talk to a panda!

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Robin's avatar

Love that Starter Pack painting. The satirist is adorable!

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Anne Belov's avatar

Hee hee! I am, aren’t I? (Just like Bikkie)

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Deb Lund's avatar

Big hugs and so much gratitude coming your way for the decades of shared Whidbey life, and the knowing we will get through this and past this and on to other weird surprises we couldn't fully see coming. Glad to share this moment in time with you and other right-minded bears.

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Anne Belov's avatar

Thank you…and these rocks all came from our beach walk on Guemes. (as an aside)

I don’t know what is going to happen in the months to come, but I’m glad I have my friends to face it with.

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WriterJedi's avatar

Sending love from France, Anne!

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Anne Belov's avatar

Helloooo! I wish I was in France too! Thank you for checking in. I hope life in France is going well.

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