I was sorting through small watercolors and came across this demo of an onion with loose papery skin that I did for a painting class. I’ve added a bit more color and decided I liked it. I probably should get out my paints today as a remedy for gas-pump sticker shock, which of course is nothing compared to the pain experienced by millions of displaced folks in Eastern Europe; the images and videos are wrenching and heart-bruising and horridly reminiscent of WWII except for the brightly colored parkas and backpacks. I don’t know if prayer helps, but I figure it can’t hurt. This is one of those moments where I feel like an overly-comfortable American as I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to run from bombs raining down on my city. How does one ever recover from the terror — if you actually survive physically? It’s impossible. This is an upside-down world with too many sharp edges. (And I admit I am enjoying the images of Starbucks and McDonald’s signs in cyrillic in Moscow.)

6″ x 6″ watercolor, ink on paper