Renewal Journal

A production hiatus in 2026

Since January 27th, I have experienced a deep disturbance brought on by distressing national and international events. The kidnapping and disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, as well as the tragic deaths occurring under the United States’ police state, have weighed heavily on my mind and spirit. These external events, coupled with my personal struggle with chronic kidney disease stages 3a and 3b, have elevated my pain levels significantly. Medication changes have precipitated a steady baseline of moderate pain at levels 5 or 6, frequently rising to level 8, accompanied by acute pain when sitting, standing, or walking. This sustained physical discomfort inevitably influences my artistic practice, challenging my ability to engage fully yet also deepening my emotional connection to my work.

During this period, maintaining connections with friends, fellow artists, and collectors has been a vital source of renewal and inspiration. Through involvement with communities such as Artrageous Art Hub, Creative Arts Center, Denison Arts Council, and Gainesville Area Visual Arts (GAVA), I have found refreshing and meaningful exchanges. These connections have not only supported me emotionally but have also inspired generosity—I have purchased art and gifted pieces to support good causes and to express love toward special people in my life.

My work on the Black History Month painting was interrupted before completion. This piece featured three silhouettes in colors representative of Black History along with a globe, symbolizing the African diaspora and the profound global cultural impact originating from Africa. The intention was to honor Africa as a point of origin for all humanity, tracing genetic history through mutation and migration. While unfinished, the painting remains charged with meaning and potential; it represents an unfolding narrative that reflects both personal and collective histories I wish to explore further.

The state of my body has imposed significant challenges on my creativity. Chronic fatigue and acute, persistent pain shape the rhythm of every day. I carefully pace my activities to conserve energy and manage discomfort. The constant skeletal and muscular pain forms a base rhythm in my awareness—like the continuous sound of organ foot pedals or a bass guitar line—while acute pain pierces through with sharp staccato bursts. Despite the physical difficulty, my art practice serves as a sustaining response to the human condition and our shared experience. Through creating, I navigate pain and fatigue, express complex feelings, share my thoughts, and cultivate soulful peace. Art is both a tool for survival and a means of connection.

To me, art is fundamentally the process an individual undertakes to produce something expressive in various forms—music, literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, performance, and more. However, art is only fully realized when received by others; it must be seen, felt, heard, or otherwise experienced beyond the artist. In this way, art is perhaps the most human expression of humanity—an act of connection that has endured for millennia.

Every new performance or artwork brings uniqueness not only for the artist but also for the audience. From creation through reception, each encounter with art is singular. This uniqueness is evident when we consider ancient cave paintings, stelae, or epic tales like those of Odysseus or Beowulf. These works, though created long ago, continue to convey common humanity and shared experience across time and place.

Looking forward, my immediate intention is to reengage with my art practice by making entries in my Art Sketchbook Journal and producing new pieces for upcoming gallery shows. I am particularly interested in exploring cosmological abstracts on black paper, alongside smaller works for an event called Art Dash. To foster consistency and reduce physical strain, I plan to reorganize and make my workspace more accessible and better organized. This reconfiguration aims to minimize the pain associated with lifting, reaching, and gathering materials—allowing me to work more comfortably and sustainably.

I recognize the importance of embracing imperfection and the evolving nature of art within my creative journey. Art is not static; it lives and breathes through the act of doing, making, and practicing. Each performance or creation is unique, shaped by countless variables in the moment of encounter. This understanding helps me release expectations of perfection and welcomes the organic, unfolding process inherent in artistic expression.

In sum, I fully believe that art exists most profoundly in the process—the doing and making. Whether it is performance or literary art, each manifestation is unique and offers a new experience to both creator and recipient. This belief grounds me as I navigate the challenges of pain, fatigue, and a troubling world, reaffirming that through art we can connect, express, and find peace.

Gratefully

Ruth Elizabeth Nuckols Cox Williamson