I’ve been watching a series of shows Ben Gibbard is doing live from his house over 14 days. It inspired me to paint live on Facebook while we’re staying home, socially isolating.

Instead, I decided to just film in private and see how it goes.

I was nervous, with the camera pointing at me.

Watching the video later, I was surprised by how fast I painted. I knew that I could do a painting in a short period of time, but somehow that didn’t prepare me for seeing how quickly I actually applied the paint.

It was the camera, I think. I didn’t want to be boring.

The first day, I used larger brushes, blocking in basic shapes of trees over a blue background I had applied the night before. It made me uncomfortable, seeing how feverishly I attacked the canvas.

I’ve noticed that I do a lot of things fast. I eat fast. I wash my car fast (there’s a timer on the sprayer). But I don’t think I always paint so fast! I keep saying painting is meditative. And it is. Or it can be when the camera isn’t on me!

I have a lot of anxiety, especially these days.

My parents have health concerns, there is a virus spreading, and because of this, I am concerned about my job security.

I think we’re ok on toilet paper.

I want to spend time with my friends. We FaceTime, and look forward to being together again in person.

Maybe this is the time to try something new… To make videos, and put them online. What if we all film what we do and share it with each other while we wait for safer times.

What if parents connect online, and support each other during this difficult and scary time? We don’t have to be experts! Just open and available for each other. I know I need this. Do you?