The term “Silver Linings” is popping up all over right now during this Great Pause as everyone is looking for a hopeful side to this gloomy pandemic situation. I learned that the idom “every cloud has a silver lining” came from John Milton’s “Comus” masque, written in 1634.
“Was I deceiv’d, or did a sable could
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?”
From my home studio quarrantine, I’m working on exploring what silver linings mean to me.
In the image featured here, these tiny glittering sequins are leftovers from one of my daughter’s elementary art projects. I had tucked them away into a tiny cardboard box for a rainy day. Now, holding them in my palms I see them elevated from craft matter into tiny glittering metaphors that represent our ability to hold our experience of any given situation as a positive, or a negative. Dark or light.
All That You Need, You Have│interpreting Milton’s silver linings on day 37 of The Great Pause│Eau Claire, WI
Hello, Friend. My name is Jenna Erickson
In my work I am seeking to visually express unseen things that matter. My process takes me from journaling and poetry to photography, and back to painting on canvas.
During this Great Pause I hope you’re finding ways to seek the silver linings of your own. If you’ve read and enjoyed this post, please drop a comment below or tap the heart button.
If you’d like to follow along with me on socials, you can find me on Instagram at @jennajerickson.