Maine

Gun violence

I am very sad for Maine today. I first fell in love with the state as a young camper, entranced by the earthy smells and serenity; now in adulthood, I routinely travel Downeast every year for that same fix. I have painted its beautiful landscape hundreds of times. The people who live there are funny and kind, I have many friends there now. Mainers are very proud of their state, and so this probably is hitting all of them hard, personally, even if they don’t live near what happened.

This week in Lewiston, eighteen people were shot and killed by one man in two locations. This is the worst episode of mass gun violence in the U.S. this year.

The gunman is still at loose. Entire towns are on lockdown.

There is a lot of death right now, here, in the Middle East, Ukraine, more. I know there always is, but it seems like more than usual at the moment. I don’t even know what to say about guns anymore, I’ve drawn and written so many times.

Take care, everyone.