2020

Spring on the Yard

Spring on the Yard is a time of completion, of victory, and of celebration. It’s an intense and short season which is packed with most of the major milestones of the U.S. Naval Academy.

What happens when Spring doesn’t come?

While painting this series of work, the events of COVID-19 changed life as we knew it. Initially, midshipmen had an extended spring break. But within weeks, the unfathomable occured, and events pined for by midshipmen and families for years dissolved as leaders made hard decisions.

The events challenged me to reconsider what I was doing. Out of deep compassion for those affected by cancellations, I almost stopped. But then, I realized that now, more than ever, the story needed to be told.

From the beginning, these paintings are intentionally vague. Individual features are downplayed so that anyone can look at them and find themselves in the moment. The painting is a success if it reminds someone of a story, inspires them to keep working, or invites them into a moment they may not have been able to experience otherwise.

To the class of 2020: even though you won’t have memories of these moments (and I’m so so sorry), I hope you can find yourselves in these paintings.

You made it to the finish line, but you didn’t get to cross. I salute you.