On My Planet These Days I am...

Marie-Anne Erki -

COVID-19 Isolation, April 2020

After two weeks of self-isolation that began in mid-March, I wanted to record with drawings, my experiences of being confined at home that had become the extent of my world.

I was reminded of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s illustrations in his beloved story, “The Little Prince”, where, before starting his interplanetary visits, the central character had lived and kept busy on his little planet. Hence, on my planet, this was how I spent my time in the lockdown.

"On my planet these days I am learning new recipes" [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]
… keeping in touch with family and friends by telephone. [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, ©2020]
… tossing back an occasional stray ball to the neighbours.  [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]
… looking for little signs of spring.  [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]
...receiving home deliveries.  [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]
...immersing myself in creative pursuits.  [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]
... planting seeds indoors, because the soil is still too cold. [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]
... using new technologies to visit family and friends. [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]
... preparing the soil for my victory garden.  [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]
… waiting for the all-clear.  [Digital medium by Marie-Anne Erki, © 2020]

By Marie-Anne Erki

Marie Anne Erki, Kingston artist and emeritus professor civil engineering at the Royal Military College.  Marie Anne initially considered a career in architecture, but her love of mathematics led to becoming a structural engineer.   She says, "At a time before computer assisted drawing (CAD), both disciplines required a huge amount of freehand and mechanical drawing. After a quarter of a century of great fun as a structural engineer, I decided to pursue painting full time." You can see her works at marieanneerkipaintings.blogspot.com

Editor's Note: I am honored to publish this little book by Kingston artist, Marie-Anne Erki who designed her own small book in the month of April during the COVID-19 pandemic.