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Happy Birthday 2020: A Covid-19 Memento Mori

Happy Birthday, 2020.
12″ x 16″,
Oil & acrylic on canvas

A Memento Mori is an object or image which serves to remind the viewer of the inevitability of death. Historically speaking the intent of the Memento Mori was to advise the viewer to forsake temporal pleasures and attend to the spiritual life which theoretically transcended death.

For myself, the Memento Mori reminds me to appreciate the gifts of life, as life is fleeting and an after-life is far from certain.

The bee in this painting is a stand in for me. My name, Debbie.lee, means bee, according to some interpretations. I painted this memento mori to celebrate my birthday and the completion of another cycle around the sun. The incorporation of the Covid-19 virus in the floral decoration on the plate commemorates the specific year, it’s most significant event, and is a reminder not to take for granted the pleasures of life life and good health, for who knows what lies ahead.

This painting is not currently for sale, however if you are interested in limited edition prints contact me and I will add you to a pre-order information list.

Yes, add me to the list!

The Original Covid Chronicles Sketchbook Project

About the Covid Chronicles

Press for the Covid Chronicles

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Calgary-area visual artist @debbie.leemiszaniec_artist started a COVID-19 sketchbook and has been sharing her work online.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ “The response has been enthusiastic, people are finding the drawings entertaining and thoughtful,” said Miszaniec. “I don’t normally show my drawings, so the COVID-19 drawings are unique for me in that way.”⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ So far she has done eight drawings in this series and she is currently working on more. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ “I continue to try to finish them daily as they seem to be something people look forward to seeing each day,” said Miszaniec.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ “The drawings were initially just for me, as a way to process what is happening in the world, and how unprecedented the changes are even in comparison to having lived through the global reaction to 911 and the economic meltdown in 2008."⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Share with us your personal good news stories, talents or how you're keeping busy during these unprecedented times.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Email calgaryphotos@cbc.ca or tag @cbccalgary⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Visit the LINK IN BIO to learn more.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 📸: onelifefineart.com⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #yyc #albertacares #cbccalgary #yycnow #yycliving #albertacares #inthistogether #covid19

A post shared by CBC Calgary (@cbccalgary) on Mar 27, 2020 at 12:33pm PDT

The Calgary Herald Arts & Lifestyle:

Thanks to The Calgary Herald and Eric Volmers for his article Calgary artist conveys COVID-19 fears, hope for the future with beautiful sketches, on the Covid-19 sketchbook project.

Video: EllieMAC Designs & the Covid Chronicles:

Immortal Artist Pandemic Archve

Thanks to Grey Cross of the Immortal Artist for including the Covid Chronicles in the Pandemic Archive.

CBC Calgary Instagram

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Calgary-area visual artist @debbie.leemiszaniec_artist is back with new drawings from her COVID-19 sketchbook.⁠⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ “I am doing three per week now while I concentrate on putting a campaign together for individual prints and a booklet of the original sketchbook,” said Miszaniec. “I’ve also set up a page on my website for this project called COVID-19 chronicles.”⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ The sketches were initially created as a way for Miszaniec to process what is happening in the world.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ “People are entertained by them. I guess they are concerned about all the same things that I’m working through in my sketchbook. I will most likely have another eight by next weekend.”⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ Social distancing doesn't need to be lonely.⁠⠀ Share with us your personal good news stories, talents and photos.⁠ Let us know how you're keeping busy during these unprecedented times.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ Email calgaryphotos@cbc.ca or tag @cbccalgary⁠⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ Visit the LINK IN BIO to learn more.⁠⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ 📸: onelifefineart.com⁠⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ #yyc #albertacares #cbccalgary #yycnow #yycliving #albertacares #inthistogether #covid19

A post shared by CBC Calgary (@cbccalgary) on Apr 13, 2020 at 3:02pm PDT

Seven Ravens Bakehouse & the Covid Chronicles:

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I’m honored to participate in @sensationalcakesandmore “Gratitude Collaboration”. I took inspiration from @debbie.leemiszaniec_artist amazing series of drawing which depict everyday life. What I loved about her work is the ever present Covid-19 virus. Haunting, beautiful and thoughtful. I am grateful to the delivery people who kept us going while we were grounded. Thank you! The Gratitude Collaboration, like gratitude, is on going! If you have a cake honoring a hero or heroes of the Covid-19 Pandemic, or feel moved to create one, please contact Deb @sensationalcakesandmore on Instagram or FB #ThankYouHeroes2020 #sugar #sugarart #cake #cakedecorating #sevenravensbakehouse #covid19 #heroesofcovid

A post shared by Scott Bradshaw (@seven_ravens_bake_house) on Jun 10, 2020 at 9:37am PDT

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Calgary-area visual artist @debbie.leemiszaniec_artist returns with some of the final drawings from her COVID-19 sketchbook.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ “The concepts I’m exploring are sometimes more complicated, and more emotional as I respond to different aspects of the pandemic. I usually work on them at night. I think they serve as a clearing house before sleep for everything I’ve been working through during the day,” said Miszaniec.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ The series is winding down as she explores what is next.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ “I’ve done 34 now, I’m thinking I’ll do another four to complete a second set and then decide where I’ll go from there. I may decide to explore the effects of the pandemic on our society in some more extended works as the pandemic goes from a swiftly changing situation to the new normal in our lives.” ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Overall she feels pretty positive about the project.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ “It has put me in touch with a lot of great people who were touched by the work, and provided new opportunities that replaced exposure and income lost due to COVID-19.”⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ The pandemic has also changed her outlook.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ “I’d say that COVID-19 has taught me the value of connecting with people, being flexible and making room to respond to new circumstances as an artist." ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Share with us how you are staying busy and positive. Send us your personal good news stories, talents and photos.⁠ Email calgaryphotos@cbc.ca or tag @cbccalgary⁠. ⁠⠀ Visit the LINK IN BIO to learn more. ⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀ 📸: onelifefineart.com⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #yyc #albertacares #cbccalgary #yycnow #yycliving #albertacares #inthistogether #covid19⁠⠀

A post shared by CBC Calgary (@cbccalgary) on May 12, 2020 at 10:20am PDT

CBC Calgary Homestretch with Doug Dirks:

Thanks to CBC Homestretch team for interviewing me about the Covid-19 sketchbook project on the radio.

Women's Art Museum of Canada

Thanks to the Women’s Art Museum of Canada for including the Covid Chronicles in S.H.E. – Sharing Her Experience on Covid 19.

Fortune Live Media

Thanks to The Fortune Brainstorm Health Virtual Event for including Covid-19 #9 in Covid-19 Artwork Series Showcase.