Dave Karr of Cortland created this painting after seeing the testimonials posted online by health care workers treating coronavirus patients. Submitted photo

Art generally is a solitary pursuit, which makes social distancing and stay-at-home directives the perfect time to create, and art is a welcome emotional outlet.

But health and financial fears are influencing what some local artists are creating. And those who depend on it as their primary or even a secondary source of support wonder whether anyone will have disposable income to spend on art once those restrictions are lifted.

The walls of downtown Youngstown’s Soap Gallery are filled with work by area artists that no one can see in person. A group show by Random Acts of Artists already was hung and set to open when the stay-at-home directive was issued by Gov. Mike DeWine last month.

Gallery co-owner Daniel Rauschenbach said much of it has been posted online, but it’s impossible for someone to grasp the scale or nuances of a work viewed on a cellphone or laptop screen.

“Creating at this time is strange because you can’t judge or see what people are thinking when they interact with your work,” Rauschenbach said.

Creators also are losing major events like Youngstown State University’s Summer Festival of the Arts to show and sell their work.

“There are local artists who depend on that show to pay their rent for the rest of the year,” Rauschenbach said.

Not only are there fewer places to sell, there are fewer opportunities to supplement that income.

Clay and mixed-media artist Gail Trunick of Burghill said, “The virus shutdowns have canceled workshops that I had scheduled to teach both in and out of state. My open studio days are on hold, and my summer shows are either not happening or (are) in limbo until further notice. The shops and galleries where I sell my work are closed.

“On the good side I have plenty of time to make art — if I can get my supplies.”

Dave Karr of Cortland is running out of some paint colors after being home from work for the last month.

“Having all day every day to paint or whatever as I please has been fantastic,” he said.

However, both Karr and his wife have health issues that put them in a higher risk category, as well as elderly parents. The virus also forced Karr to postpone his May solo show at downtown Warren’s Art on Park.

“Although I have concerns about my family, I’m enjoying this seclusion,” Karr said. “It suits me perfectly. I find myself most comfortable alone with music and art.”

Barry Burkey of Warren said he’s been able to pay more attention to his art with the stay-at-home order in place. Jeffrey S. Piper of Boardman, who teaches at Lakeview schools, said the time required to create online lessons for his students and help his own children with their online schooling hasn’t left much extra time for his paintings

Youngstown artist Michael Gibson is finding solace through his art.

“Where I see fear and uncertainty about our nation’s future, my work provides release,” Gibson said. “When I’m strained by the possibility of losing family and loved ones, I rely on my faith and my work to find comfort.

“We artists are a strange lot in that we have the ability to shut the world out until we have need of it again. … In light of the pandemic, I have never been calmer or (more) at peace than any other time in my life. For me, my gift is a godsend. Without it, I would have succumbed to the spirit of fear a long time ago.”

With her photography business on hold during the pandemic, Sarah Bokone of Warren has shifted her attention to abstract painting.

“Being quarantined as an artist can be a beautiful thing,” she said. “I didn’t think I could be any more grateful for my talents, but in a time like this, art is really what is keeping me mentally healthy. Creating is my greatest coping skill.

“Unfortunately, on the business end of things, Boko Photo is not thriving. It’s very scary to be self-employed at this time and have no source of income.”

Aaron Chine is another downtown Warren artist whose main business, The Box gallery and tattoo studio, is closed due to the state’s policy. With a 1-year-old son at home and a lack of painting supplies, he’s been focusing on doing sketches when he can find the time.

“When this ends, I can use my sketches to create more refined, finished pieces,” Chine said. “More than anything, I just want to get back to tattooing. I feel like half a person without having that artistic outlet every day.”

Timothy Milliner, who owns Party Art Cafe and Studio in Niles, believes his business will be stronger artistically when it can reopen because of the growth and exploration he’s done in his own art during this break.

“It’s been a huge adjustment, but it was one I realized I had to make because I wasn’t sure how long this pandemic would keep my business’ doors shut, and I want to make sure when they do open, I’ve got more to offer than I did before,” Milliner said. “I know it’s going to be twice as hard getting it up and running again after this whole thing. It’s been tough getting it going in its first two years.

Some have adapted what they do to accommodate current needs.

Kathy Lepro of Warren has gone from making hand-sewn dolls to making hand-sewn face masks for family and friends. She plans to offer masks to area nursing homes once she’s fulfilled her current batch of requests.

“I do enjoy sewing and neither I nor my machine will be idle these days,” Lepro said.

Lynne Provance of West Farmington is another artist who has added mask-making to her repertoire while still doing the stained glass work for which she is known.

“At this challenging time, I was inspired by the men and women who provide their courage, thoughtfulness and respect, whether health care workers, first responders and / or stay-at-home businessmen, parents, etc., so I designed and created ‘Angel with Open Arms’ to celebrate my thankfulness to them for keeping us safe.”

Youngstown comic book creator and pop artist Chris Yambar still is finding ways to promote himself and his work, even as several events have been postponed or canceled in conjunction with “Hully Gee, It’s the Yellow Kid,” a comic book co-created by Yambar and illustrator Randy Bish that celebrates a comic strip character first introduced in the late 19th century.

“I faced death a few times over the past few years and am still standing,” Yambar said. “Only quitters quit. I don’t have time for depression; it is counterproductive at best.”

He’s created an online gallery — YambarToday.com — and using all social media platforms to promote it. He’s also using a postcard mailing campaign to attract media attention for the Yellow Kid and other projects.

“I made up my mind a long time ago that if I am going to be in it, then I’m in it to win it,” Yambar said. “Making yourself available at every turn is every bit as important as doing work worth collecting. Good business is good art.”

Joshua Kronauer agreed that this is a good time to focus on promotion, even if it might not translate into immediate sales. It’s also a good time to promote art as a leisure activity, a hobby and a profession.

“People are stuck at home with little or nothing to do, and it’s a great time for them to pick up a pencil or brush and go for it,” Kronauer said. “The more I can inspire someone to get into art the better. It’s a tough time for a lot of people, and it’s hard to think positive thoughts for some. But using art, I think we can spread some positivity.

“Hopefully, when this all passes over, we’ll have some new artists ready to join the art shows in the area.”