26 Comments
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Richard's avatar

Love the sketches.

"The world has gone mad and I’m doing watercolors of people on the street." And thank you for that.

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Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you!

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Jen Robinson's avatar

I feel that way every day -- the world has gone mad and yet here I am doing normal things. I'm not sure there is a word (yet) for this feeling, I've been trying to find it. I do think making art is a life-affirming response to it though.

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Jen Robinson's avatar

maybe "mad" is not the right word either. The world has gone brutal, dark, and fractured in a way I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around, seems more accurate. Maybe mad is a good shorthand for that.

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Liza Donnelly's avatar

Yes. Agreed.

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Catherine A Fox's avatar

Is the phrase you're looking for "cognitive dissonance?" I share the feeling! Moments of joy must be sought and worked for now. Contentment is not the "natural baseline" state because we are so aware of the needless suffering being caused in our name, and with our taxpayer contributions!

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Jen Robinson's avatar

Cognitive dissonance definitely sounds like the technical term! I'm looking for a word though that more clearly communicates the emotional quality of the awareness you describe. Tthe rage and horror below the surface while you're doing something like having your teeth cleaned or watching a movie with your child or fixing yourself lunch. Guerniclasm? Bystupefaction? Moral precarity?

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Judy Buskirk's avatar

I have to think about Guerniclasm. Referring to Guernica, the fearsome scene of war by Picasso... hmmm. If this is the beginning of a Guerniclasm, then we (some of us) might be Guernified. What a desolate thought. Yes, the world may be going through a Guernification. I trust that our actions keep us from it. But I like your word, very much. It says something arty and horrific at the same time—a warning.

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Mary McCormick's avatar

I enjoy all of your comments and drawings but especially appreciate how you have taken us a long with you on this trip. I feel like I have seen the exhibit and all of the beautiful places you have visited. THANK YOU!

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Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you, Mary!

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Laura Havranek's avatar

Thank you Liza. You have no idea how your drawings save me from dark thoughts, when contemplating the current situation of the US under the taRump presidency. I cherish them and am strolling the streets of Paris vicariously with you thru the Square. Sharing with my artist grandchild who has a talent for drawing.

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Liza Donnelly's avatar

That’s so nice to hear, Laura. I mean it.

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Mary Aries's avatar

I’ve been wanting to go back to Paris. Thank you for taking us along❤️

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Charles G Haacker's avatar

Charming. Captivating. Lovely. Human. Inclusive. Wonder.

Love that tiny carousel.

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Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thanks, Charles. I wish I could have drawn the carousel!

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Helen Palmer's avatar

people in Paris love their parks-and so do we! yes, the world is crazy, but your drawings give us a respite. enjoy the rest of your vacation-we have enjoyed your sharing it.

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Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you, Helen.

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Irma Villarreal's avatar

Please keep doing what you do so well Liza—we truly need this respite. Your drawings make me smile.

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Mary Sharp's avatar

Water colors in the park contributes to the collective practice of joy and humor which eventually permeates the air we breathe and the earth we walk on. May we all find a similar practice. 👍🏼

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Catherine Manley's avatar

How lovely! I've never visited another country. Now, I wish I could move to one!

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Ward Johnson's avatar

Watercolors are the absolute best. Not an expert myself, but I do like the feel of the brushes, making washes... Love my digital drawing and painting tools, but good old analog - brushes, pen and ink, pencil, charcoal - there's that sense of direct contact with the real world. Liza - you do seem to move effortlessly between digital and analog, but I like seeing the actual texture of the paper, the subtle levels of transparency; when you do live drawing with pencil, I love the sound of the pencil scritching along the paper.

The simplicity and human quality of your work is a good antidote for the madness. Thank you, bless you. You are doing good work.

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Nancy Day's avatar

Yes, water colors. I do Zentangle and write poems in my sketch book, read Rumi, and pull Tarot. And I read your posts. Thank you.

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Catherine A Fox's avatar

Beautiful. Your sketches--almost whimsical but reality based! Interesting combination!-- brought a smile to my face, relaxed me a tad. Life goes on. And we keep fighting for a better world. You bring joy through your talent. Thank You.

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Claudia Green's avatar

I hope you were able to recharge a bit, because the days are getting grayer and grayer here at home.

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Christine Mason's avatar

Liza, do you ever sell any of your little watercolors? I think they are so fabulous, xo

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Elaine Waxer's avatar

Your sketches are wonderful. What a beautiful park.

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