“I am coping well, and I am coping well because covid-19 has basically eliminated practicing lifestyle activities. I have spent an enormous amount in my studio which has been a great opportunity for me to restock on artwork because I’ve been selling a lot of artwork.

Same thing happened in the economic recession of 2008, for some reason when these things happen and our economy crashes, the sales of artwork go up. So in that sense, it’s been very good. Now teaching art has been extremely difficult, there have been very few gains and it’s been very disappointing but its to be expected as well. Teaching art requires a person to person relationship and I haven’t been able to find the appropriate technology to make virtual teaching more effective.

The most disappointing thing that I have learned from 2020 and covid-19 is how unable we are as a society to function with a common interest. It has started to make me think and question things about our society and compare it to different types of societies. We live in a society by choice, number one, and by theory because this society values the individual and when things are working great, we are a wonderful society, but when things aren’t, we are a dismal disgrace.”


*Raul took his own self portrait. December 2020.