Work in Progress
Added 2022-07-20 17:33:40 +0000 UTCThe colors of this hallway and this strange vantage point have stuck in my mind. The bright green and blue colors on the walls are meant to create a happy atmosphere for learning. In my own recollection of schools (either from when I was a student, or later when I was a substitute teacher), I remember the sights, sounds, and smells. Children laughing and talking. Hearing an occasional, “Walk in the hallways!” from a teacher. important announcements and art on bulletin boards. The smell of bleach, crayons, cafeteria food, and glue.
Most of us have never experienced a mass shooting. But we see the tragedies unfold on the news. When mass shootings like the one at Uvalde happen, we see a strange and skewed perspective, usually security footage. We watch, hear the reports, feel the anger, sadness, and tragedy of it all. We can look away when the news cycle runs its course. But so many cannot look away or move past the irreparable damage caused in their lives.
I wanted to paint this empty hallway to hold this tragedy in my heart and mind longer than the news cycle.
