Hi neighbors,
To brighten up your day, and especially if you are an essential worker during this Covid-19 pandemic, check out this online exhibit from the Austin Creative Arts Society.  The "HeART from CAS" exhibit is our way of expressing gratitude to all those who are on the front lines as well as their families.  Everyone is welcome to check out the virtual gallery and to share this link with the essential workers in your lives.  We hope that you will enjoy this original art that conveys our deep appreciation for those who risk their lives for us each day.  
Larry Akers
What's Out There? was inspired by the pandemic.  As I was planning as a study in light and shadow, I realized the structure was resembling a window blind that was being pressured and contorted by some force from outside, a visible manifestation of an invisible threat.
Aglow is a simple celebration of the beauty of light.
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www.eyeplaystudio.net
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 Lesley Bradstreet
These three images were made early one morning after a gentle rain had fallen in the night. The sun was rising behind the plants in my yard, making the droplets sparkle like diamonds. I think of our health care professionals, teachers, grocers and other essential workers as a Thousand Points of Light in a world that has gone dark. They are the bright spots that illuminate us all and allow us to live and to work and to stay as healthy as we can. Without them, all the lights would be out. I am so grateful for their contribution and their dedication and their courage to be there for us all. Many thanks. 

https://www.lesleybradstreetphotography.com
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Charlotte Clark
"A heartfelt salute to all those who wear scrubs" 

Color stripes in the background are those most commonly preferred in scrubs.

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Jane Fier
I chose to do three paintings of three separate stages of the Covid virus. In each painting the background and unifying element is the world- since this virus affected all of us worldwide. The first painting is the Outbreak, the threat to the world. Shelter in place was something new to us but seemed to be an attempt to keep us safe and one of the precautions used in other countries. The second painting is the Science- searching for answers with so many unknowns. Under the world image I placed another image depicting a microscope slide of the virus.It has a double meaning-looking for answers and the scientists were constantly under a microscope themselves. The third painting is the love and gratitude shared by all toward the essential workers who risked their lives to save so many. 

www.janefier.com
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Eva Glock​
I’m dedicating these paintings to front line and essential workers. Sunlight at the horizon signifies transition, change, and often, new beginnings. These pieces were painted outdoors ‘en plein aire’.
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www.evaglock.com
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LA Hollins
SUMMARY RESPONSE 1. How do you want to make our essential workers feel? Respected, Appreciated, Loved 2. What imagery would complement your style and ideas with their work? They regularly work in very stressful, physically and emotionally traumatic situations requiring them to remain calm and controlled in support of patient recovery. Viewing Abstract art can provide a unique individual reaction, visual escape or healing release purely through color, texture and form. Projecting personal insight into any artwork can trigger a very introspective process offering potential for emotional resolve and growth. 3. What can you create that would create positive resonance? An artwork that recognizes grief and pain and loss while also provoking feelings of love, empathy, acceptance, strength, beauty and fearlessness amidst chaos. An artwork that reflects and celebrates the ebb and flow of nature and life. These artworks are all a part of my #Coronadaze series dedicated to First Responders and Medical Workers directly supporting and caring for Corona Virus Patients as well as Essential Workers and all of us enduring this pandemic. These artworks are meant to Honor, Give Thanks, Inspire Hope and Support everyone’s path towards both physical and emotional healing into the future. INDIVIDUAL ARTWORK NARRATIVES AS FOLLOWS: WITNESSING This artwork is dedicated to First Responders and Medical Workers directly supporting and caring for Corona Virus Patients. Imagine “Witnessing” the mass of pandemic victims suffering, recovering, surviving or loosing their battles with this disease on a daily basis over months and months. Each fighting to survive like magnificent flowers blooming up into the sky or lifting off into the unknown like brilliant burning torches lighting the way. The people who care for us also light the way and continue do it every day. We are so grateful for you and your bravery and devotion. This artwork is meant to Recognize, Honor, Give Thanks and Support You too. RELEASING FIREFLIES This artwork is dedicated to First Responders and Medical Workers directly supporting and caring for Corona Virus Patients. “Releasing Fireflies” is a metaphor for those loosing their battles with this disease every day and those who have done all they could to support them. Your presence during this time is everything and you will never be forgotten by all the friends and families directly impacted, especially your own. Thank you also to your families who share you with us. We are so grateful for your bravery, perseverance, grace and dedication. You are Angels Among us and this artwork is meant to Give Thanks, Inspire Hope and let you know how truly special we all know you are. HALO This artwork is dedicated to First Responders and Medical Workers directly supporting and caring for Corona Virus Patients and their families. “Halo” is a metaphor for those individuals loosing their battles with this disease and those care takers who have been by their side. A Halo represents the light of Devine grace, suffusing with the soul which is perfectly united and in harmony with the physical body. A mass of invisible halos surround us every day. Thank you for your bravery, perseverance, grace and dedication. This artwork is meant to Honor, Give Thanks, Inspire Hope and Support everyone’s path towards both physical and emotional healing into the future. CORONA CROSSING This artwork is dedicated to everyone living in the days of Corona #coronadaze, but especially First Responders, Medical and Essential Workers. “Corona Crossing” is a metaphor for all people crossing paths during this new pandemic reality. Everyday, we are hyper-aware that anyone we come in contact could expose us to the virus or visa versa. So many have been lost and so many have been forced to retreat from life as we knew it. This artwork honors those lost and the everyday heroes who continue to show up day after day to care for all of us. They keep crossing our paths. They keep encouraging us to never give up. They set examples to live by for all around them. Thank You for your service ! MASKED This artwork is dedicated to everyone, but especially First Responders and Medical Workers and Essential Workers. Its not easy to wear a Mask every day. A mask is something you hide behind. It's also something that protects others. You take on a new identity when you wear a mask. No one can tell when you are smiling. People take more time to look you directly in the eyes because they want to see who you really are. And they want to be seen as more than the mask. “Masked” is the new normal, the new sign of respect, the new handshake, the new hug ... It is truly astounding how something so small, so uniform, so abnormal in this Age of The Selfie represents a pardigm shift in humanity overnight. This artwork is meant to Give Thanks, Inspire, and Support us all in our own healing and move forward into the future taking pride in the masks we wear every day.

​BlueStonesArt.com
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​Gia Marie Houck 
This capsule collection offers color, texture, and variety to honor all of our essential workers during this global pandemic. 
I believe that our so-called last responders should be honored too. They are unfortunately dealing with a wholly unprecedented number of deaths. 
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giamariephotos.com
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Joyce LaBaw
"Reflection" honors those in the medical profession.  It depicts a weary, tearful caregiver but when you look closely at the eye's reflection you see a patient in a wheelchair holding a thank you sign and you realize that these are tears of joy.  I wanted to somehow capture the emotional hardship our essential workers are experiencing but also their triumph and successes.
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www.joycelabaw.com
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Joan Lawson
​"My Corona Flower Garden" is a place I'd like to share with health care and essential workers as they escape from the daily busyness and chaos.  It's a place where they can relax and feel safe in the beauty, calm and peace of nature.

"Between Heaven and Earth" symbolizes the risk health care and essential workers take to keep our economy running and our citizens safe and well.  The heavens open up to bless all who serve.
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Facebook: JoanLawsonFineArt
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Mozelle Marks
WeThe People is a series of nine portraits combined in honor of the heroic workers of 2020. City Fire painting is for the brave firefighters that face danger everyday with additional challenges of Covid-19. Cafe Du Monde represents my appreciation of the restaurant workers that have faced so much hardship this year with Covid-19 limiting their ability to work. Neighborhood Food Truck is an oasis for locals, including local firefighters to get a bite to eat or a drink in this time of restrictions.
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mozellemarks.artweb.com
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​Shruti Mehta
My art works are dedicated in honor of the all the workers who put themselves in the harm's way to serve people and making our lives easier..
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​Pratik Mehta
Whether it's teaching how to live, helping heal our body or spirit, or protecting us, you are always on the go.
This small collection of photos expresses my appreciation for all the hard work and perils you essential workers take on every day.
Thank you !!
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​Maggi Miller
The images in this collection show my desire to share a positive energy and a feeling of hope. 
They may look deceptively simple, but I made most of the paper you see here. Paper-making requires a great deal of planning, patience, and hard physical work. I make the paper and then dig into the next stage of cutting and pasting. The whole process requires focus and persistence.
I imagine our essential workers can appreciate these elements, and I want them to know the outcome of their efforts is valuable.
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maggimiller.com
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Jill Robinson
All works were created during this uncertain time of Covid19 evoking different feelings at different times. Hope for the world and gratefulness for our health care workers were always at the base of these emotions.

www.artmyway.biz
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Joyce Stephen
My art is a celebration of Life and a testiment to Americans pulling together whenever there is a crisis. I hope the optimism shown in my work brings joy to those fighting for us every day.

joycestephenart.com
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​Mary-Ellen Thomas
"Exhausted Hero" is a painting of Devin Walsh, ,an employee at Kroger. The photo was taken during the early days of the Pandemic. Photo by Emily Price. Used with permission of both. 
"Unsung Hero" was painted from a photo on a free artist's reference site. No attribution required. 
My intent was to commemorate the people we often take for granted. Nonetheless, they are essential front line toilers. 
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maryellenthomasart.com
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Amanda Zappler
I would like to pay tribute to the essential workers who educate us, deliver and transport our mail, and keep our homes and families safe. Without these key members of society, there would not be a society. Thank you essential workers!

www.arteparalavida.info
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​Kat Zinna
​I would like to thank all the health workers and first responders for working so hard to help people during this covid 19 pandemic!
You are truly dedicated and wonderful!
Thank you for all that you do, you are amazing!
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​@katzinnaart (Instagram)
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Lisa Zinna
In the dictionary you'll find a definition of "gem" to be: a person held in great esteem or affection. This is how I feel about our essential workers and frontline personnel during Cornonvirus. Medical workers, first responders, food service, grocery store workers, ETC. are all GEMS right now for doing the hard work and putting in the effort to keep us well, fed, and safe. These two pieces were created digitally by photographing a gem and then overlaying several times to create an abstract flower shape. The prints are coated in resin, and a real gem sits on top of the piece making it unique. In the Urban Dictionary, you'll find that "I see you." means that someone understands where you are coming from, or they are impressed with you. Bingo! This is how I feel about these essential workers. I SEE YOU. Your willingness to do the hard and right thing, day in and day out. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. These two pieces were created using a combination of photographs of paper collages and stamped words, and digital art. They are painted on the sides and coated in resin.

lisazinna.com
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