How are you experiencing the lockdown?
I have been confined to my home in Buffalo, New York, on Lake Erie, for several weeks. I've actually lost track of time. Some days, I don't even know what day it is. I work for a health-related organization, and most of our staff have been sent home to work. We are still taking care of our patients. I have friends who have died from the virus and friends who are sick. Every day, I dread another call announcing the passing of another artist.
What is your state of mind?
My current state of mind is very precarious. Boredom is always present, and now that I have been living alone since my friend passed away in 2018, I am constantly haunted by the memories we shared in our home. I worry about my 95-year-old father, who, thank God, is in good health, and about my large extended Italian-American family.
Has this lockdown experience impacted your artistic approach?
I haven't worked in my studio at all this year, but I draw a lot at home. I've rediscovered the simplicity of line drawings, and I will probably incorporate them into paintings when life returns to normal.
Are you practicing during the lockdown? If so, can you tell us about your new works?
I spend quite a bit of time watching birds from my window and feeding the crows. There's something about crows that I find endearing. They are common yet solitary birds with boundless curiosity.
