While visiting family in Virginia this last February I was able to see the exhibition Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World at the Smithsonian Museum. Ironically the exhibition is now temporarily closed to support the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. I’ve been very rattled since returning home, at first it was on account of delayed action to control the virus, now it is just a gnawing uneasiness as to how this will play out.

I started this painting, One, after we returned from Virginia. There is a section of the exhibition, Outbreak, that discussed the concept of One Health which partially inspired One. One Health recognizes the connection between the health of people, animals, and the environment. I think we could include the economy too. Given what the virus COVID-19 has accomplished globally the concept of One Health is now more valid than ever. The other inspiration for One is the fact that we only have one world—One Planet. I feel like humanity is in a massive “time out.”