We all experience loneliness throughout our lives. Artists experience it whenever they stand in front of an easel. What ultimately ends up on the canvas is the result of a lonely process, which may be informed by others, but is worked through by the artist alone. There are many other pursuits that result from lonely endeavor: Writing music, individual sports, or just plain decision-making.

However, I think the worst experience of loneliness is the loneliness of loss. When a spouse dies, the loss of companionship and having to face the trials of this world alone, or the loss of mobility because of a missing limb, or the loss of cognition because of mental impairment. Only those experiencing this level of tragedy know how deep in the soul the loneliness of loss extends. I tried to express this idea in my painting, "The Loneliness of Loss." I hope I did.