Haze, who grew up in Manhattan, transitioned from abstraction to graffiti in a few years, which caught the attention of de Kooning. She advised him that artists should always follow their inspirations. By the early 1980s, he joined Soul Artists, a prominent NYC graffiti group, and displayed his work alongside Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat at MoMA PS1. He also exhibited at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery and later gained recognition for his nonfigurative paintings worldwide. Instead of living in complete artistic solitude, he started a successful design business with clients such as the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and LL Cool J. Recently, he has created clothing and spaces for Nike and the Standard Hotel. In 2013, he married actress Rosie Perez and lived a very collaborative and social lifestyle. However, everything changed when he began his artist residency at the Elaine de Kooning house in December. "I came here with the intention of rediscovering how to paint," he explained, speaking from a studio with a large window overlooking the barren woods in East Hampton. Numerous paintings of his studio, done in shades of gray, hung on the walls, contrasting with de Kooning's colorful portrait of Haze and his sister. His earliest abstract paintings, which he created as a child under her guidance, were displayed prominently alongside his new portrait of de Kooning. After spending months painting through the night, he felt a deep connection to de Kooning's spirit, leading him to paint people, beginning with himself. Only recently did he feel worthy of painting Elaine, a breakthrough he achieved in the past few weeks. Since the start of quarantine, many individuals have found themselves isolated and relying on their own creativity to fill their days. Many artists, writers, and composers value the opportunity to isolate themselves in remote locations, even in challenging conditions, as it can foster creativity. However, the added isolation during a pandemic can be difficult for even the most resilient individuals. Pat Phillips, currently on a painting residency in Provincetown, Massachusetts, describes the enforced isolation as challenging, especially without the usual community interactions and events. Phillips is fortunate to have his wife, fellow artist Coady Brown, with him during this time, providing some comfort amidst the isolation. Dune walks and potluck dinners featuring local clams have been put on hold. Richard MacMillan, the executive director of the organization, noted that residents, who were initially social, are now isolated due to the quarantine. While many residency programs have closed, some, like Djerassi in California and Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Nebraska, have implemented new safety measures to remain open. Paolo Arao, a Brooklyn artist who recently completed a three-month residency at Bemis, stated that the previous month had been very distracting due to all the news. Despite this, he felt safer in Nebraska, where there were very few COVID cases. The Elaine de Kooning House residency, where only one artist is hosted along with a single staff member who provides meals and fresh-baked cookies, seemed well-suited for sheltering in place. Katherine McMahon, the director of programming, mentioned that the arrangement of working at different times helped minimize interactions during self-quarantine. Haze, the artist, would often be seen outside in a daze from his painting marathons, splattered in paint for a cigarette break before returning to work. He mentioned that he had promised his wife he would quit smoking when he returned home. "At this moment, I find it too distracting to be taken out of my creative zone," Haze expressed on a Wednesday in early April, amidst the chaos of the pandemic in New York City. Despite the constant sirens, the open door to de Kooning's former studio allowed the sounds of birds and creaking tree branches to filter in. Haze sat in front of a recent self portrait, reminiscent of his younger self leaning against a car with a cigarette, similar to de Kooning's portrait nearby. Surrounded by art supplies, including Clorox wipes and surgical gloves which he planned to share with friends, Haze declared he had enough materials to paint through any catastrophe. His studio also showcased a large painting of de Kooning painting Kennedy, creating a nostalgic reflection on the past. Close by, an unfinished portrait of his grandfather as a young immigrant was being worked on. The artist mentioned that his time spent alone in the studio helped him remember his grandfather and other figures from the past. He credited Elaine as a spiritual inspiration during that time and admitted to developing strong feelings for her. Despite his initial plan to leave the next day, he ended up staying for a week longer, continuing to paint even amidst difficult circumstances. He pointed out that Elaine used to say that obsession is a crucial part of the process. This information is from around 2020 and is attributed to The New York Times Company.