Painting New York 2020: The Year of Clearer Vision
Painting New York 2020: The Year of Clearer Vision
Joan Margaret Nichols
September 10–October 31
Community Gallery
Artist Statement
Joan Margaret is inspired by nature, brilliant colors and random acts of kindness. She began painting as a way of Self-Care. As a Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher and Trainer working with high-risk youth, Joan realized she needed to be sure she took care of herself, so she could be fully present and of service for her students. Painting is Joan’s way of Self-Care and her pathway to joy.
Fast forward to March of 2020 when the Covid-19 Pandemic hit. Joan actively pursued being outside hiking daily, regardless of the weather, to manage her own mental health and anxiety during this time. Joan started to catalog what she saw on a daily bases through photography, sketching, painting and journaling. Within twelve months and quite by accident, Joan has created a body of artwork that is colorful, joyful, hopeful and reflective of being outside.
These acts of being present and mindful kept her focused and moving forward during these uncertain times. Mindfulness is a way of life for Joan, that enriches her as a human and her work as an artist. “By being mindful, I am able to use all my senses and experience nature fully. I am able to capture the joy, and lessons nature teaches, and bring it forward through my art. Like random acts of kindness, my hope is to shed a little light into someone else’s day as they rest their eyes upon my artwork.” The paintings in this collection represent lessons in gratitude and making the best out of this situation.
