The Unexpected Colors of Covid from Seattle Artist Stacy Milrany

Last March, early in the pandemic, artist Stacy Milrany noticed Seattle businesses nailing thick plywood boards over windows to protect from vandalism. The colorless boards were a grim indicator that things were changing fast and we were headed for a dark and uncertain time.

On Friday March 20, seven days after the Seattle lock down, Stacy saw an Instagram post from Linda Derschang, founder of the Derschang Group and owner of several local restaurants and pubs. Her post called for artists who’d volunteer to paint over the boards in an effort to make the area look less bleak.

Without hesitating Stacy messaged her, and said, “I’m in if you still need people. I’ve been in the midst of a series on ‘Buoyancy’––and something along these lines seems relevant right now.”

 Linda responded 6 minutes later—“I love your work and we have a spot at Oddfellows if you’re interested.”

 Oddfellows has been one of Stacy’s favorite spots since she moved to Seattle over ten years ago. “I love the high ceilings, Rainier Beer in cans, their Meatballs & Polenta, their whole vibe.” says Stacy. “So, it was a no-brainer—sure I’d do it.”

 When the two connected that evening, Stacy learned the timing was tight. Linda and her team were aiming for everything to be painted by the following Wednesday. And the forecast called for steady days of rain starting Monday morning.

“It was really only after I determined the Sunday was the only good day, that I realized I had never painted a mural before and there might be a few things to learn.”

Saturday morning, she googled “How to paint a mural,” watched a few videos and got a decent idea of the process and what she’d need. Then she headed to Home Depot for supplies — exterior house paint in shades of joy, some rollers, some brushes, a roller extension, some painters tape, a drop cloth, masks, and a few other items. That night she sketched a few ideas. And decided to make the final decision on the concept when she woke up.

 Stacy wanted to complete most of the mural while few people were out and about so her plan was to get started early—6am. Armed with all her supplies and a 12 ft ladder, thanks to the team at Odd fellows, she began painting at 7am and wrapped by 3.  

 “It was a strange experience painting that day,” says Stacy. “For weeks, everything had been uncertain–– it was scary and sad seeing so much tragedy beginning to unfold. At and the same time, I was grateful to be doing something I loved that might also be a bright spot for people amidst the quarantine and remind people they’re not alone.” 

The sketch she ended up painting is called Six Steps Back— in her words, a response to the paradox the world is living through—the need to distance oneself from the love and connection so essential to human survival, for the sake of human survival.

 About two weeks after completion Stacy learned that her mural had been tagged (with racial slurs). She went down the next morning and painted over the graffiti, she left bits of the graffiti’s silver paint, “I thought the extra sparkle was excellent,” says Stacy. 

 Stacy said she was glad to be a part of what became a city-wide effort on the part of artists and small businesses to cover the bleakness with some color, humanity, and hope.

Six Steps Back is now available as a print available at www.milrany.com.