The March Show: Resilience - Artist Statements
Jaime Lynn Henderson, Back Yard First Date, Acrylic on canvas, $1,750
"Back Yard First Date" was created during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, after nearly two years of isolation and quarantine. As a single woman living with her dog battling the intense loneliness and hopelessness many of us faced worldwide, it took every shred of energy I had to force myself to dream and hope again and make a painting. I fantasized about the return of back yard house parties where I'd meet some wonderful person; our connection so intense as we sat on deck chairs and chatted that surely fireflies and twinkle lights would glow and fireworks would erupt in the night sky; every color so vivid and intense as if in a dream. "Back Yard First Date" is a painting that defied the darkness and hopelessness of a very challenging time in our collective history.