So, unless you have been living under a rock for the last eleventyhundred months, you will have undoubtedly been directly impacted by Covid19. This week I have chosen to discuss how this has affected me as an artist, for the better, and the worse.
Pro’s.
Time – there has been sooooo much time! An abundance of time. Who knows what time it is? Or what day for that matter?
Peace – living in the town center, often means we are a half-way stop for many friends and family, and life before the lockdown was always full of (very welcome) interruptions.
This has not been the case for a very long time. (Except when a mate came round with a delivery and we made her a cuppa and sat her on a camping seat across the other side of the road.) The world has gone rather quiet, and this allows the creative juices to get flowing.
Pollution – the clear skies, the birds singing and the welcome sunshine. Amazing! My much-improved breathing and lack of sneezing tell me that I have an allergy to traffic and exhaust fumes. I have suspected as much for a long time. (Sadly with the traffic increasing the wheezing is returning)
Humanity – Although there have been many horrible events across the world recently, there is also a great deal of good in the world, if you look in the right places. Amongst my local neighbourhood, there has been a real sense of solidarity, generosity, and kindness. This camaraderie has indeed lifted my more cynical mood and reminded me of how fortunate I am.
Con’s.
Boredom – I have tried to avoid watching every single episode of Homes Under the Hammer. (Loved seeing Golden Girls replay though.)
Loneliness – I am a social butterfly, and however much I love my husband – I need my friends and family around me to spur me on, give me feedback, and inspire me. For this reason, I still attend classes as often as I can. (when it’s safe to do so) In art, you can never stop learning, and half of the fun is bouncing ideas off one another.
Madness.
I am pretty sure I shouldn’t be talking to my paintbrushes (*see my comment above on loneliness).
Lockdown has undoubtedly had a profound effect on many people’s mental health. Although I am trying to make light of things, it would be remiss of me to ignore the fact that lack of interaction is not good for the soul – or productivity.
To summarise, as with many people, the novelty of having a reduced timetable and slower pace of life is now wearing off. I have always been a bit of a people-watcher, and get much of my inspiration from bustling places and observing human interaction.
I cannot wait to get back to some form of normality and share a room with a bunch of crazy, like-minded creatives – pushing me to work outside my comfort zone and pep me up.
So, I implore you; please stay in, so one day soon, we can all go and play with our friends 😊
Just a few hyperlinks
Book of artists inspired by lockdown – funds go to the NHS
https://www.carolerupniak.com/testimonials
Upcoming exhibition of work inspired by being in isolation
Online collection of work
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-the-incredible-art-created-in-lockdown-11987230
