Portraits

Kara is a bassist and performs with the classical jazz trio Les Non Triolets. 

This is Kara, 18 x 24” watercolor and ink on 156lb arches watercolor paper, 2020.

I thought I was practicing a lot and making progress and doing well this whole time in isolation. Then I had that first rehearsal back and….😬

Kara, Les Non Triolets

Don plays drums for Away Team in Greenville, SC.

This is Don, 36″ x 24” watercolor and ink on 156lb arches watercolor paper, 2021.

Having spent 63 days in the hospital with 34 on the ventilator changed my musical life forever. I am now finally back to performing although I continue to do therapy twice a week. One quote that has really inspired me was on my doctor’s wall in rehab when I was in St Francis for a couple of weeks. “What doesn’t challenge you, doesn’t change you.“

Don Gilmer, Greenville, SC

Shaina is a choral musician living in Durham, NC.

This is Shaina, 12″ x 24” watercolor and ink on 156lb arches watercolor paper, 2020.

This pandemic has shifted all things in my life, but one thing that remains is music. I have been very fortunate to be one of only a few people who were able to continue singing and recording music for our church’s virtual services when everything shut down.

Music has always been one of my greatest joys and has been even more important to me this year as it has kept my spirit and my faith strong through difficult times. I am also able to create this music with those who are near and dear to my heart.

Though we may be six feet apart, music has kept us together. In this photo I am singing for a homecoming service we are recording. We haven’t been able to have the whole choir back, and probably won’t be able to for a long time. I’m grateful I get to be a singer for the praise team and still make a joyful noise to help others feel connected during this time.

Shaina Riley, Durham, NC

Josie plays flute and teaches in Columbia, SC.

This is Josie, 36″ x 24” watercolor and ink on 156lb arches watercolor paper, 2020.

This photo was taken recently to use as a headshot for my new music teaching position as a KinderFlute teacher at the University of South Carolina. The past year has been extremely difficult as many people told me that the job market would be horrible for musicians, and I would have to think outside of the box to make it in the music world. I defied the odds and was able to secure a dream job working with young students. I have also had to work exceptionally hard in my Masters degree in Flute Performance as COVID has changed many things about traditional music study, such as changing weekly lessons to an online platform. I was able to power through this difficulty and make the best of it.

Josie, Columbia SC

Harvey Dalton Arnold plays guitar in Haw River, NC.

This is Harvey, 36″ x 24” watercolor and ink on 156lb arches watercolor paper, 2021.

My name is Harvey Dalton Arnold and I’ve been a working musician since my high school days. I’m now 67 years old. In early 2020, I was lucky enough to release my first recording in nearly 6 years. It was very exciting, and I was very proud of our work, with 9 songs recorded in 3 days in Brooklyn, NY. Then came Covid-19. The CD was released on February 29, and by March 11, Covid-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic. We all know how the world changed and how no one was not affected by it.

Suddenly all music gigs on my calendar through July were cancelled and my CD sales became my pandemic hobby of selling over 1000 copies from my kitchen table. Plans of a new band we’re put on hold, and my performing was relegated to my music room in my house.  Through the magic of the internet and my PR agent, I received very good press and met many people through interviews from all over the world. My band mates agreed to start rehearsing our new band, always practicing distancing and singing through sweaty masks.

So, I feel very lucky and grateful to have felt the joys of my new CD, a great new band, and good health through this terrible part of human history. My heart hurts for those not as fortunate.

Harvey Dalton Arnold, Haw River, NC

Kathy is a singer/songwriter from Newfoundland, Canada.

This is Kathy, 15 x 30” watercolor and ink on 156lb arches watercolor paper, 2021.

This is a photo of me from a while ago…before so many things happened. Before I was diagnosed with cancer, before my marriage fell apart and came back together, before a devastating inner ear injury that changed the course of my music career, and before Covid shut down promotion of my debut album. Whenever I see this picture, I’m reminded of how much life can change but I’m also reminded of how much stronger I am now.

Kathy Stock, singer/songwriter