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2020 look back #3

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2020 look back #3

Perhaps the darkest day amongst too many dark days in 2020 was May 25, the day we witnessed George Floyd murdered by asphyxiation in real time for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. This barbaric criminal act resulted in condemnation and demonstrations across America and around the world and it highlighted many other crimes against the black population by rogue police officers including Breana Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, Eric Garner and so many more.

June 19th
Inspired by the words of President Obama and in support of those marching for Equality, Justice and Freedom in New York and across America today, including here in Vancouver. “Juneteenth is a time to recommit ourselves to the work that remains undone. We remember that even in the darkest hours, there’s cause to hope for tomorrow’s light.” Barack Obama, 2016.

Sadly last week on December 22nd the name of 47 year old Andre Maurice Hill must be added to the list, unarmed and shot by a white police officer in Columbus Ohio.

2020 look back #2

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Not long after the pandemic started to ravage the world images and stories began to appear in the media and the press of patients on ventilators and health care heroes in PPE. Two such moments led to these two drawings together with their accompanying descriptions:
 

 
April 28th – Drawing in the studio today allowed me to spend a few hours in quet reflection on this National Day Of Mourning, a day that perhaps has never been more meaningful, as we remember and honor those who have lost their lives or been injured from their time in the workplace.
I would particularly like to honor the memory of Dr. Lorna Breen, a New York City emergency room doctor, a true hero, and send heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues and friends.
 
The drawing was inspired by a photograph taken by Marco Bertorello in the Covid-19 ward of Maria Pia Hospital in Turin.
 

 
May 3rd – When the Science of Medicine meets the Art of Medicine to save lives in the COVID unit at Vancouver General Hospital.

ECMO stands for Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation but could also stand for Ever Compassionate Medical Optimism, thanks to the dedication of our frontline healthcare workers epitomized by the caring nurse-specialist portrayed in the picture.

2020 look back #1

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As we approach the end of 2020 and before we welcome in 2021 I thought I would look back at some of the key moments from this past “annus horribilis”. On March 11th I combined this image of our world with the corona virus just as it was all beginning, and wrote:

‪”Today the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Our thanks to all the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers here and around the world working so hard day and night for all their patients and communities but especially to BC’s Dr. Bonnie Henry for her compassion and leadership.”

Here we are over ten months later and the pandemic continues but miracle of miracles during this time vaccines have been developed and there is now a light at the end of our long dark tunnel, and of course those thanks continue every single day.


 
What better way to wish everyone Merry Christmas on Christmas Day than with nature’s “carpenter”, this beautiful pileated woodpecker captured hard at work in the Pacific Spirit Park this week; and a special thank you on this special day to all of our health care and front line heroes who can never be thanked often enough.

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four times the fun

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Always a special time whenever I paint with my artistic granddaughter over FaceTime as it was today. Brought out the colors and just went with the flow with lots of positive encouragement from the phone. No winter solstice blues here.