Blooming Brown-Eyed Susan

Andrea Vadnais
Sep 24, 2020
9 min read

My Depiction of the Journey Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vision for a Better, Brighter World for All

One Sunday afternoon in August, I began my backyard clean-up project. I shoveled Henry’s poop, and then propped a couple of the charred slate shingles against the foundation. About five minutes into my clean-up, the journey began, and I created this impromptu, found object assemblage.

All afternoon I collected objects from our small yard and inside the house, except for the chunk of pavement and lacey white flowers that I found next to the sidewalk. I thought this flower was Queen Anne’s Lace, but after just looking it up, it appears it’s wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), a poisonous weed that grows prolifically along the side of the road. Go figure. Thankfully, it didn’t cause me the characteristic blistering, burn-like skin reaction. This undesirable, infectious weed fits flawlessly in my representation of the transformation of negativity, injustice, and nasty ills of the world into non-toxic beauty. My creation is full of meaning and symbolism. Read slowly and connect with the photos, allowing space for your thoughts and visions to manifest. And thank you for taking the time to view the world through my lenses.

Warmly,

Andrea

My objective description is in bold print, followed by my interpretation.

The journey begins with the diseased phlox plant, afflicted with powdery mildew fungus, wilted and dying, fallen on a charred log

The coronavirus COVID-19 threatens our world, a vulnerable world, coping with destruction from natural disasters, such as fire, floods, hurricanes, storms, and global warming. Even the healthy and thriving phlox plants and people amongst humankind’s flocks are at risk for infection. “Disease” is laid upon a charred world, filled with “dis-ease”: physical, mental, and emotional burnout, sorrow, pain, inequality, disconnection, and a generalized loss of regard for life, well-being, nature, and our planet.

Phlox are incredibly diverse, just as we are. The plant has a genus of 67 species, found in various habitats from the mountains to open woodlands and prairies, and grows in hardiness zones 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9. Their diversity is endless: annual and perennial, requiring shade to full sun, blooming in spring, summer, and fall, and in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Like humans, phlox diversity is one of their greatest strengths, offering unique purpose and value to the world. Low growing plants serve “on the ground,” spreading far-reaching beauty across the soil. Others are mid-height, naturally filling in the gaps of a garden or serving as the main attraction. The tall varieties can also “stand-alone” or serve as a robust and supportive backdrop to those in the forefront. They and we come in a variety of colors. Phlox are blue, violet, pink, red, and white. We are black, brown, red, white, yellow, and all shades in-between.

All varieties are low-maintenance, attractive, fragrant, and colorful. Prevention of the potentially fatal fungus infection in phlox includes rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil, optimal sunlight, quality, adequately circulated air, and pruning of the post-flowered stems. Pruning reduces the plant’s stress and allows its energy to nourish healthy, new growth. Not so unlike us. Reducing stress, toxic relationships, and patterns and behaviors that are unhealthy help us achieve our advanced needs and desires and, ultimately, self-actualization. All humans deserve the right to become the person they strive to be, form healthy relationships, and live the life that they want to live. When one is at his or her best, we all are better.

Like phlox, basic human needs are simple. As Maslow’s hierarchy of needs states, our psychological needs of air, food, water, warmth, and rest must be reasonably satisfied before progressing, growing, and flowering into our best selves. With fundamental needs met, phlox produces prolific flowers, multiplies, stands firm in its roots yet flexes, adapts to change, is resilient to disease, and attracts birds and butterflies. All energy is connected, and humans mimic the natural world. Let us learn from the phlox, strive to meet the needs of all, grow, bloom, thrive, multiply, attract birds and butterflies, and shine brightly into the world while raising the collective consciousness.

The backdrop of charred slate and rusted metal collected from the rubble of a local, century-old home, destroyed by fire last winter

The slate roof of the one hundred plus year-old Vermont home collapsed under the destruction of its supporting structures. Despite the quality, strength, and ability of the slate to withstand the elements and time, it cannot function to protect the home and its inhabitants without the proper support. The integrity of the rusty metal is compromised and unsafe due to the heat, smoke, and water damage during the devastating fire. Despite the devastation, the whimsical metal sun-shaped sconce collects the multi-colored stones in its presence. It pools the diverse collection together in its light and warmth, providing hope.

Just as when COVID-19 began, our world, as we knew it, felt like it was crumbling down around us. The weak and absent structures, supports, and confidence caused fear and instability. Societal injustice and disparities that were always present became undeniable, such as racism, sexism, access to medical care and adequate living conditions, availability of food and essential supplies, and overall safety and security.

The campaign and message of Black Lives Matter became more critical than ever. Support, protests, and violence escalated.

The multi-colored stones throughout the display and on the 2x2 board

The stones represent different races and cultures. The first stones emerging from the rubble are primarily white. They cross the first short and narrow bridge in a reasonably solitary fashion, making their way through the world, often without working together. Some are falling off, by the wayside, as others march on. Next, they turn a sharp corner onto the longer, wider bridge. Many continue falling, especially the dark-colored stones. Some land in the grass, which slightly cushions the pain and suffering, others more profound onto the unyielding ground and buried at the bottom of the rock pile, lastly a few drop onto a supportive rock, the landing is hard. However, they are still reachable with assistance from the stable stones on the bridge.

As the stones progress, more travel side by side and in groups. More diverse black, gray, red, and yellow stones are leading the way.

The sheet of rusted metal with a healthy aloe plant inside and growing towards the sunlight and fresh air

The stones enter into the collective home. The physical structure is standing, although rusted and warped. The conditions inside individual homes are often unknown. Some are safe, healthy, and nurturing, while others contain poverty, unsanitary conditions, a lack of quality air circulation, clean water, food, and absence of fulfilled basic needs. One of the greatest threats in many homes is abuse, whether apparent or latent, all physical, mental, and emotional abuse is unacceptable, detrimental, and extremely sad. The majority of society is unaware of the extent of abuse, especially against the most vulnerable amongst us. My dream is for all homes to be a stable and supportive environment; an incubator, a safe space to learn about ourselves, our morals, strengths, weaknesses, and human connection. Home is where we can know that we are loved, just because we exist. We can fall, get up, try new things and ways of being, and practice without judgment on how to stay true to ourselves as we navigate through the world.

At this point in the pandemic, regardless of our homes’ conditions, officials deemed home the safest place to be, in most cases. We needed to shelter in place or quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Ideally, our homes were a place to rest, heal, bond, re-group, and figure out the next steps. Unfortunately, this was not a reality for everyone.

Aloe vera is an attractive and healing succulent plant. The juice inside its leaves relieves pain from scrapes and burns. Metaphorically, the aloe plant soothes the mind, body, and soul. While healing those inside the home, the aloe plant reaches and grows through the house’s imperfect space or “window” to the outside world. Just as we were and are.

A small, partially charred piece of wood serving as a bridge from the metal “house,” leading to a moss-covered brick. Setting on the brick is a stone that says “family,” a lit candle in a pink glass votive, and several uncharred sticks. The sticks rest on a sizable rock and slate pieces while extending to a decorative metal sconce in the sun’s form, adorned with a dream catcher earring. A collection of multi-colored stones rest in the bowl of the metal art.

As sheltering in place guidelines relaxed, we were able to leave our homes, slowly and cautiously. The “family” stone represents what or who we consider key in our shared experience of surviving the pandemic’s initial stages. It may be biological or non-biological family, friends, housemates, pets, plants, music, art, a hobby, connections experienced virtually, such as co-workers or an online community. The strength we gained remains within us as we ease from our shelter in place home, into this unprecedented territory and time in history.

The “family” stone gently slides down the short wood piece, serving as a bridge to the outside world, where it lands on a moss-covered brick. Bricks are an earth element, natural, grounding, and porous, allowing them to breathe, ever so slightly, and absorb water. This brick is growing moss, symbolizing new life and growth potential. Moss is a fascinating ground covering, a lush forest carpet. It thrives in the shade, retains moisture, does not require herbicides or pesticides, and is an ideal habitat for many beneficial insects. Humans, like moss, are extraordinary, yet also tender and vulnerable at times. Intense sun, heat, dryness, pressure, and weight are damaging. Like babies, we need nurturing and protection from harsh conditions to continue healing.

The sticks are a wood element symbolizing growth as they reach toward the light. The light and warmth from this hopeful sun are gentle, soft, and playful. The spiraling center and curved rays flow like water, soothing, not burning all that lays beneath. Although small, broken, and splintered, the wood is not dead or charred, but not yet big solid logs, sturdy and robust. The three sticks crisscross, forming a bridge. They are wise, knowing that they are stronger together than alone. The dark shadow of the pandemic, racism, and ills of the world looms over as portrayed by the background’s rusted metal.

The hurt, fear, and devastation caused us to self reflect and more strongly know what we want. All of these hopes, dreams, and visions are gathered in the collective consciousness, symbolized by the dream catcher. Its web of life filters the negative from the positive, and the nightmares of society are trapped, destroyed, and burned by the daylight. Simultaneously, good dreams and positive visions for humanity gather and flow down the feathers, soothing the multi-colored stones gathered below.

A young plant is growing inside a pink vintage teapot with a delicate pink flower beginning to bloom. The tea pot’s cover is hanging on the historic charred slate shingle. The fleshy pink curvaceous spout points towards the heel of a plastic female leg, shaped like wearing 4 ½ inches high heels. The contour of the spout mirrors the curve of the feminine arch. Scattered in the space between are several multi-colored stones and a clear glass candle votive sits unsteadily below. The rim is shaped like a blooming flower as the transparent votive is empty, ready to receive.

The nostalgic pink teapot is reminiscent of the quintessential grandma’s home: safe, nurturing, and filled with the scent of freshly baked cinnamon buns. The peace and comfort cultivate sweetness, new life, and fresh ideals as represented by the tender plant and delicate flower petals just beginning to open. The teapot’s cover is hanging in the background on the destruction, no longer stifling new life, grounded in feminine energy, ready to flourish.

The powerful feminine energy manifests creativity, flexibility, resilience, connection, empathy, strength, balance, self-sacrifice, intuitiveness, a strong survival instinct, a deep sense of justice and morality, and an overall warrior, badass spirit. All humans contain both masculine and feminine energy. Therefore these characteristics have the potential to expand in everyone, regardless of sex or gender. And the power of feminine energy will be deeply respected, valued, and promoted as we transcend into a superior existence for all.

As humanity empowers and elevates this energy, starting from the ground up, as represented in the female leg, it expands and robustly bursts, flourishing into a brilliant flower and healthy, vital green leaves showering down as humanity moves forward, creating a better world.

A burned and rusted metal piece resembling a staircase climbing a wooden fence-like structure, broken and charred by trauma. A once strong pink flower is wilting between the largest crack or vulnerability in the fence.

Remarkably, the pickets remain connected by a single supporting board. In fence construction, this board is called the “backer.” A nation’s success depends on a stable, trustworthy “backer,” a leader who has the people’s backs, all of the people, regardless of sex, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or political views. Undeniably, the path to building a healthy, thriving nation, especially while recovering from trauma, disconnection, and repression, is an uphill climb. Even the formerly empowered, vibrant, and blooming flower will tire. However, while standing united, even a mix-matched, broken, imperfect lot will succeed when held together by strong leadership.

Following the upward climb’s peak is a steep yet blissful descent into a terracotta pot containing the original pink cosmos plant alongside a second taller, heartier, cosmos with multiple flowers and buds in a rich deep pink-purple color. The latter is growing tall and secure towards the sunlight.

A single flower serves as the launching point into a colorful array of plants, including a peace lily, flowers, rocks, crystals, glass vases, a hanging ceramic ornament engraved with the word “inspire,” moss, candles, a feather, and most importantly, a Brown-Eyed Susan blooming through the crack in a slab of pavement.

The struggle is real, yet there is hope in the journey through COVID-19 of a better, brighter world for all. My vision is of a cosmos (the flower and a harmonious universe) full of growth, acceptance, and unity. My favorite image is the “Brown-Eyed Susan,” resistant to heat, drought, and pests, easy to grow, and adored by butterflies and birds, emerging through the crack in the broken chunk of pavement (broken world). There is the most significant potential in the deepest, darkest trials, beginning with moss, and then the gorgeous Brown-Eyed Susan. This is a natural representation of the hope and vision for women and black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), leading us to a floursihing future.