Tell me, what do you see?

Near the dawn of the COVID-19 lockdown, Brenda Fettig Murphy found herself bored rather quickly. Having watching just about everything she could watch via stream, her boredom and cabin fever drove her to begin spending time in her studio to create — resulting in a creative outlet for Murphy’s frustration in being severely couped up. Eyes closed, pencil set to paper she would draw ‘til she stopped. With an array of mixed media including pens and markers, she colored her creation in to fill the gaps of her own interpretation.

The completed work made its very first appearance on her Facebook and Instagram, asking followers to share what they saw in what she deems her “squiggles.” The response, was surprising, with followers approaching the drawings much like a Rorschach image … the depictions quite varied among participants. So intrigued by the response, while enjoying the interaction with her followers, Brenda continued the project, posting her drawings near daily through the first parts of the pandemic. 

Realizing she had enough work she could share in a different form of medium, Brenda compiled a selection of pieces into a book, Squiggling Thru COVID-19: How this Artist Kept from Going Nuts during the Pandemic! The 42-page book shares Brenda’s thoughts and process going into the creations, as well as favorite interpretations of her work as coined by her followers. A favorite of this writer’s? “Day 43” (Murphy captions it, “I had a REALLY bad day.”—of which one could easily relate.) The final three pages are allotted to create your own “squiggle” drawings as well, encouraging you to pick up a pencil and create a little art yourself.

Brenda’s book can be purchased on Amazon for you and yours to be entertained and inspired. You can also follow her book and other art on her Facebook page at Brenda Murphy Art.