Connection of a Crowd

The last big thing my husband and I did before the pandemic shut the world down was go see a musical ("Dear Evan Hansen") at a theater downtown. We got dressed up, met up with some friends, had a delicious dinner together and enjoyed a night out in the city. We got lost in the crowds of people-- our fellow theater-goers-- and enjoyed the collective energy and anticipation we were all feeling. There was a buzz of excitement in the air, amplified by the people around us who shared those feelings. When the lights went down and the curtain went up, we cheered together. When there was a funny joke, we all laughed. When something powerful happened, we clapped our appreciation. At the end of the show, we walked out as individuals connected by a shared experience. Maybe we don't know each other's names and maybe we'll never see each other again, but we sat in this room tonight and felt something together. The same way I'm still connected to crowds I've sat with at sporting events or music concerts or college campuses or community events. This year of empty auditoriums has taught me more than ever how much I love the connection of a crowd, how deeply I love being around my fellow humans sharing experiences together.

Come see this painting and plenty more at a Backyard Pop Up Show I’m participating in this Saturday! Swipe right for all the details. Park on Creek Road and walk up the private lane. This event is free and open to the public. We are selling original paintings, prints, drawings, calendars, cards and more! Participating artists are Kara Aina, Rebecca Klundt, Loralee Nicolay, Annie Preece, Miriam Tribe and me. We’re so excited to see you!