I was traveling to events and selling collectable mugs when Covid-19 hit and we all had to go home. I was pretty crushed but I realized that I’ve dealt with the end of my world a few times already, why not try to make the best of things. Being an empathetic introvert, social isolation is my forte.
In July of 2019, I began participating in a group called the Monthly International Altered Playing Card Collages. It is a group of people who make collages on playing cards and exchange them. Being part of this group has made a major impact on my life. I focus so much attention on making these collages each month. Having a deadline and people waiting for my work forces me to make art. It also is wonderful to go to my mailbox and find a piece of art.
When we all got put on lock down, I focused most of my time socializing on Facebook. That’s where most of my socialization has been for the past 6 years. I try to be as open and as honest as possible and I usually overshare. I get so much love from people I don’t physically know. I decided that I wanted to make collages for all my people. I needed some sort of purpose to get me through this crisis. I didn’t want to lose the progress I have made. I needed somewhere to focus my attention. In April I came up with the idea for Socially Isolated Butterfly and made my initial group of collages.
I’ve spent most of my time since then making these collages. So far I have made over 100 collages. Before I launch the butterflies into migration, I take a selfie. I ask that the recipient send me a selfie of the butterfly from its new home. Then I am asking that my recipients nominate someone to send the butterfly to. I want to send my pretty little butterflies all over the planet. I will put all the selfies together into one big butterfly mosaic. Because even when we are forced to stay apart, with a little creativity, we can come closer together.
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