Tommy Midyette is known for his images of Raleigh landmarks and people. Lately, though, his thoughts drift to New York City and a friend who lives there in the midst of a high number of COVID-19 deaths.
"You know, New York seems to always take the hardest brunt of disasters, and I worry about this person, what they are going through," said Midyette.
Other WRAL Top Stories
New York state has the largest number of COVID-19 cases in the world. As of April 9, the death toll has topped 7,000--more deaths than even the tragedy of 9/11.
In the course of tragic world events, artists often capture the collective emotions in a single image. Midyette found his inspiration in New York Harbor, and a Naval hospital ship called Comfort.
After a slow start in it's mission to offer relief to overwhelmed hospitals, the ship now accepts more patients struggling with COVID-19.
It was the feeling of hope that Midyette found in the image that moved him to start on a new painting. "I just kind of free-hand sketched it and did it in a couple of day," said Midyette.
Photographs were the inspiration, but Midyette composed different elements for more dramatic effect.
"I moved things around," said Midyette. "I wanted to have a clear view of the Red Cross symbol, so I moved some tugboats out of the way."
He also included the Statue of Liberty in the background.
The dark sky behind Lady Liberty represents current fears. It's the same fear he sees among many of his Raleigh neighbors. "It was strange to see the first masks," said Midyette. "I never thought I would see that in America."
That dark sky is challenged by brighter skies breaking through. He's not the only artist striving to express those feelings.
"I do appreciate what other artists have done to help people deal with the fear. We all need inspiration and hope to be reminded that we're not alone," he said.