Making Art in Pandemic Times

Contemporary American painter, Sonya Sklaroff, is best known for her New York City cityscapes. In March of 2020, when the pandemic lockdown happened, Sklaroff’s way of life as an artist changed drastically. She no longer could work from her beloved NoHo art studio. Instead, she converted her home, a midtown Manhattan apartment, into her new creative, shared space alongside her husband and children. Later, Sklaroff would bring her work to more tranquil surroundings like her friend’s backyards, countryside rentals, or wherever else she could find safe space to work.

This life-changing experience galvanized Sklaroff to create a pandemic painting series comprising a monograph of 43 vivid, city-inspired paintings. The limited-edition, coffee table book is entitled PANDEMIC PAINTINGS SONYA SKLAROFF. Notably, celebrity cook, Rachael Ray, wrote the forward emphasizing that it was a testament to art bringing joy during difficult times. 

Sonya spoke with us about how she handled the challenges of being an artist during the pandemic, and new projects on the way.

You found a way to tap into your artistry during the worst of the pandemic. Did the lockdown experience evoke a different part of your artistry?

During this intense time of isolation, darkness, and fear, it felt unnatural to continue to work on the art that I had been concentrating on in my studio previously. Instead, I embraced the new ideas, anxieties, and dreams that were emerging from my mind and decided to paint them. It felt liberating because my work began to take on a much more personal direction.

With the darker days of the pandemic behind us; How do you see your art evolving?

The anxiety of the pandemic is a prevailing feeling now. Even though there are moments of joy as restrictions have been lifted and vaccines are more available, the precariousness of life continues to weigh heavily, and I can’t help but let those sentiments manifest in my work. My Pandemic Painting Series will be ongoing, evolving, and reflecting my experience as long as this pandemic persists.

Has the pandemic changed you as an artist? If so, how?

I spent my entire career painting and drawing from observation, either New York Cityscapes, interiors, landscapes, or figures. I’ve also traveled around the world, painting in beautiful locations. Since I could not travel or rely on direct observation during the pandemic, I was forced to tap into my visual vocabulary and work from memory and my imagination. It was a different manner of creating for me, and it challenged a new part of my psyche and artistic process. I look forward to continuing this technique of working.

Your artwork is reminiscent of impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh. What artists, would you say, influenced your work most?

Artists who currently inspire me are Faith Ringgold for her emotional narrative, Ensor for his wacky masked faces, Bonnard for his gorgeous colors in interior space, Goya for his grotesque imagery, Chuck Connelly for his inventive subject matter and loose brushwork, and Mickalene Thomas for her colorful figurative compositions. But I’m also inspired by other areas of the arts, such as music, dance, film and theater. I believe that there is a connection between all fields of creativity.

Any new projects in the works?

Yes! So many projects that I’m thrilled to mention. I’m delighted that for the second time, LinkNYC has chosen to display six new paintings from my Pandemic Paintings Series on all of their 3500 digital billboards throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Look for those this spring. I’m excited to be planning trips abroad to gather visual inspiration for my studio work again. Currently, I’m working on large-scale paintings combining images of New York City with aspects of fantasy and imagination. Expressive color, texture, light, and skewed perspectives all continue to dominate my new work. And I’m eagerly anticipating upcoming collaborations with musicians, choreographers, and filmmakers. These collaborations inject vitality into my work that enthralls me.

The limited edition coffee table book entitled Pandemic Paintings Sonya Sklaroff with a forward by TV personality Rachael Ray launched October 21st 2021 and is now available. You can purchase Sonya’s book here.   

For more on Sonya Sklaroff’s art, go to sonyasklaroff.com

Cecilia Mencia is an arts and culture journalist and founder at DCTRENDING.com. Bio linked here.