Claire Dana

A “newly realized introvert,” Claire found solace in the slower pace during the pandemic. The meditation retreat in California she planned to attend was canceled, but she made connections at virtual retreats, found renewal in her home environment, and spent time in public spaces, photographing and drawing her neighborhood or meeting artists for sketching dates. I got more time by myself, got in way more selfreflection and introspection, and just more “quiet.” I may be one of the few people who was grateful for the medium of video conferencing.

Claire gained a greater appreciation of the natural beauty of Indianapolis and Indiana. She learned plein air painting and joined the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association (IPAPA). She participated in “paint outs,” attended a three-day workshop in Bean Blossom, and visited Indiana state parks. She won an honorable mention in the 2021 IPAPA show. It was a new direction for an artist who professionally produces scenic art for theater. (“I had no idea I would like pencil so much.”) I gained a better understanding of how to balance the rewards and challenges of paid work and personal hobbies. My work and hobbies have an awful lot in common, and I can appreciate the nuances between them that make life rich rather than annoying. (Thank you, meditation!)

painter & scenic theater artist claire dana

"The understanding that quiet and alone-time are profoundly nourishing to me, will serve me in every arena well beyond this year."

Claire Dana