Camas artist’s painting captures surreality of quarantine

“We’re Not in Camas Anymore” reads a handwritten card under one of Camas artist Anna Norris’ most recent paintings. 

Displayed inside the front window of Natalia’s Cafe in downtown Camas, the painting — featuring Natalia’s manager Wendy DelBosque, left hand on hip, peering out the front window of an empty cafe toward an equally desolate downtown street — the painting has been receiving a lot of attention lately, somewhat surprising its creator. 

“I have to say, I’m really shocked at how many people have commented on it,” Norris said. 

The painting’s reception may be due to the fact that Norris seems to have perfectly captured the surreal mood of the months-long quarantine meant to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Norris, who opened a Norris Arts with her husband, Ted Norris, a ceramics artist, at 1605 N.W. Sixth Ave., in Camas in December 2018, had been looking forward to another great year in business when the coronavirus pandemic hit and the governor’s “stay home” orders impacted daily life throughout Washington state in late March. 

Norris said she also would like to give back to the community. Although the “We’re Not in Camas Anymore” painting will soon hang in the Attic Gallery, Norris said she is considering giving the proceeds to local charity, possibly one that helps feed people in need. 

“We’re not open or making any money, so this is a way I could give back to the community,” Norris said. 

Although their studio is not open for normal business right now, Norris said she and her husband have still been creating artwork and have found a way to get ceramics supplies to former students and fire the artwork in their studio while social distancing. 

The quarantine hasn’t impacted Norris’ creativity. If anything, she said, her work is thriving. 

“I’m painting a lot more now than I ever have,” she said. “The light in the studio is beautiful and I have huge pieces out and can work on all of them and never have to put them away.”