Carol Wickersham, Sociology

COVID Diary Paintings

Professor Carol Wickersham has spent time during the COVID-19 pandemic creating  7’ x 7’ diary paintings, some of which are currently on window display at the Villager Gallery in Downtown Beloit. The paintings were created with ink, pencil, and watercolor paint, and sometimes a bit of collage.

“The pieces are ways to help me process emotions that range from fear to gratitude, boredom to outrage, frustration to longing, and to meditate on ordinary beauty.”

Mya Hernandez’21

Dance

Says Mya: “Creativity during COVID-19 has been one very interesting time (…) A lot of my creativity comes from movement, I am currently working on two pieces that have to do with my sisters and my life. I have also been thinking a lot about others’ creativity and how dance is their way to do that. That’s why dance Haus created weekly dance classes for everyone (of all levels) to join in. We know at this time we can’t all be together in person, but we can still do it through Zoom!”

Rajvi Thakkar’19

Zellige tile mosaic

To see more of Rajvi’s creative work, don’t miss her virtual upcoming show at Gallery ABBA on November 13th, 2020, which will be accessible online on Gallery ABBA’s Facebook Page (@galleryabba) and on Youtube!

Aryssa Harris’21

Nails

Aryssa has been staying creative during COVID-19 by refining her skills as a nail technician! Check out her incredible nail art on Instagram @aryssanails.

Aryssa showing off blue nails.

Aryssa showing off multi-colored purple nails.

Aryssa showing off nails with a giraffe pattern.

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Aryssa showing off blue nails.

Aryssa showing off multi-colored purple nails.

Aryssa showing off nails with a giraffe pattern.

Christian Fares’21

Music

Christian has been practicing guitar and staying creatively engaged in music during COVID-19.

Walker Weyland’21

Watercolor

Walker has also been staying busy by writing poetry, and by continuing to make beautiful, anatomical watercolor renderings of natural forms, such as this ancient marine trilobite.

To see more of Walker’s work, check out his website at walkerweyland.com or follow him on Instagram @walkerweyland!

JingJing Lou, Education and Youth Studies

Play

“During the COVID-19 lockdown in Spring, we tried many different ways to keep our little one engaged. Here’s one of the many!”

Sophie Wray’24

Poetry

Sophie has been staying busy by writing poetry! Here is one of Sophie’s poems, entitled “Wet Laundromat”:

Wet Laundromat

Thirty more minutes
Then I’m gonna leave here
I might tie my shoes
And walk out the door
But I might just stay here
And sit down on the floor

Cause it’s rainy today
The pavement creeps away
I know I won’t have much to say
To the hooded figured I walk past
On my way to the laundromat

Ziming Wu’18

Wagashi

Ziming, a remarkably talented photographer, has been staying creative during COVID-19 by making wagashi, a type of Japanese confectionery.

“I turned to wagashi partly because of COVID-19. Now that I had to hunker down in my room for most of the time, I figured that I needed a way of passing time without regretting that I had wasted it.

Wagashi is made of bean pastry, and the stuffing can vary; for me, it is mostly sesame seed or shredded coconut. The making procedure generally takes 30 minutes for each: from preparing the pastry and stuffing to molding the shape (all with hand).

I particularly like the experience of shaping. It gives me some time for settlement and self-reflection. During the making, I was able to cast any troubled thoughts (including ones concerning COVID-19) away for the moment and be fully submerged in the creation of something beautiful.”

A pink confectionary treat made by Ziming Wu'19.

A purple confectionary treat made by Ziming Wu'19.

A white, anemone-like confectionary treat made by Ziming Wu'19.

A tomato-like confectionary treat made by Ziming Wu'19.

Ziming Wu'19 steadily working on a Wagashi project.

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A pink confectionary treat made by Ziming Wu'19.

A purple confectionary treat made by Ziming Wu'19.

A white, anemone-like confectionary treat made by Ziming Wu'19.

A tomato-like confectionary treat made by Ziming Wu'19.

Ziming Wu'19 steadily working on a Wagashi project.

Ava Krahn’19

Pet Portraiture

Ava has been passing time during COVID-19 by drawing and painting, two of her long-time passions.

A current project is a pet portraiture commission series; she is offering custom portraits of pets that can be purchased in advance of the upcoming holiday season. Pet portrait commissions of your four legged friends can be made in two styles, as shown below: graphite or gouache on paper.

Those who are interested can contact Ava at avapkrahn@gmail.com for commission details, and/or follow her incredible artwork on Instagram @ava__krahn to support her work!

Irakli Maisuradze’24

Videos

Irakli has been staying creative by taking some videos of his surroundings and places that he has been able to visit during the pandemic! Here is a still of a lovely dolphin statue by the beach from one of his video clips.

Jennifer Esperanza, Anthropology

Embroidery

“I taught myself to do embroidery by watching videos on YouTube and Instagram. It’s a relaxing hobby, and a nice alternative to staring at a screen all day and night. I’ve been making birthday presents for friends, and now have started making Xmas gifts.”

Embroidery of a red cloud on blue.

Embroidery of a collection of wildflowers.

Embroidery of flowers shaped into the letter "G".

Embroidery of a tree with pink flowers, shedding petals.

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Embroidery of a red cloud on blue.

Embroidery of a collection of wildflowers.

Embroidery of flowers shaped into the letter "G".

Embroidery of a tree with pink flowers, shedding petals.

Jacob Sytsma’18

Pie

Jacob has been staying busy and happy by making delicious-looking pies.

Maria Ashenbrunner’21

Earrings

Maria, a Studio Art Major, has been staying creative by making polymer clay earrings. To see more of her lovely creations and to stake your claim on a pair of earrings, follow Maria on Instagram @guaasch.