This week is a family week! I was so curious how are my friends with family especially with kids doing during this quarantine time. I wanted to know :)
Me:
What is your essential item/food on your quarantine shopping list?
Rachael:
My main quarantine items have been almond butter and plain whole wheat bread. My son Is a very selective eater and it’s the biggest part of his diet, even though we are trying to get him to eat new foods. I got so nervous about getting bread at first, because it was sold out everywhere. Eventually I found a delivery service that would go to Target and pick it up for me. After that I found other places but I was ready to have Panera bake bread for us for way too many dollars and deliver it. Now I am out of freezer space because I tried to buy it multiple places online, not knowing which place would actually bring it, because when you place an order for delivery, you don’t know what will come. But I’m about to make a new order so we will see what happens, because even a freezer full of bread is only about 9 days of bread for my guy. And delivery takes about a week to come, so I’m constantly counting bread loaves. Experiencing even just a small sliver of food insecurity has really opened my eyes, and I hope I never forget what this felt like, since so many people have to worry about feeding their kids every day.
Me:
Freezer full of bread! I get it, bread is a comfy food and it's delicious :) I'm glad you were able to get some!
It sounds like you are trying to get hands on any bread, does your son have a favorite kind of bread?
Rachael:
Oh yes. He is eating a lot of Sara Lee Whole Wheat bread. Normally he eats a healthier brand, but this has been easier to get. Now his Grandmothers have stepped in to try to get him to eat home baked bread!
Me:
I should try freezing a bread as well. I have never though of that. I was just eating crackers and one of those bread that last forever which has a texture of a cardboard....
Next shopping, I will get a loaf and freeze!
I'm a huge fan of your drawing and I want to share! Especially your new work from your recent residency. Can you tell me a bit about the residency and your experience?
Rachael:
Thank you for the drawing love. The residency was huge for me. In all my time as an adult, I have never taken a trip on my own, and I was really needing some time on my own, to focus on artwork with no expectations. I worked on two book proposals and just played around a lot. The Spruceton Inn hosts artists each winter, and provide free lodging. I took long walks every morning, and wrote and made drawings all day. At night, I’d read books in bed. I am so grateful to have done the residency right before Corona started!
Me:
That is amazing. Did the nature inspired you?
Rachael:
Absolutely. West Kill, NY in the Catskills, where Spruceton Inn is, is absolutely stunning. The colors change all day long according to the cloud cover and weather, and I was inspired to use deep red and rusty brown colors, something I don’t usually do.
Me:
Thank you so much for the interview Rachael!!!
I love hearing about your drawing inspiration. Here are some drawings, with deep red and rusty brown now I see a little story behind I feel even closer to your drawings!
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Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!