Today marks 1 year of the pandemic. Covid-19 has brought incalculable losses around the world.

This painting is titled “Absence.”

The flower meaning for zinnias is “thoughts of absent friends” or “I mourn your absence.” And verbena’s meaning is “pray for me.” The red background is for one meaning of the dark crimson rose — sadness, mourning, and death.

Lives lost and people separated from loved ones have created voids that can’t be filled. But, just like these bright flowers, I pray for bright spots of hope to make their way into the absence.

Prints will be available soon on my Etsy shop.

Side note: For March 11 — 3 zinnias for the 3rd month, and 11 verbena flowers for the 11th day.

Research and sketching pictured below with more info here. Idea started with this post from December 14, 2020.