Making Art During the Coronavirus: Normal Activities Can Create Hope

'The Sound of Colour: Fiona's Place,' acrylic on canvas, 93 x 72 cm

Since I last wrote over a month ago our daily life has changed drastically. A month ago the Coronavirus had not taken its pernicious hold on the UK; it seemed to be something that was only really affecting the rest of the world. 

The UK is now in lockdown since Monday night and like much of the world we have to completely reconsider how we do things daily. Some normal activities are no longer possible or restricted. Even today, on such a lovely sunny Spring day, my husband and I had to choose a route for a walk that was not overlong and decreased our contact with other people. To write this seems really strange and would have been unthinkable a month ago. At this point in time I'm wondering how much further these restrictions will have to go.

Some of my paintings, which featured people in physical or close contact, as in the painting below, now represent a time that we may not see for several months or longer. Imagery has ceased to have its usual values and certain imagery, both moving and still, has quickly taken a different, questionable meaning. Seeing videos of packed supermarkets with counters overflowing with fruit and vegetables in between News reports underlines how much has changed in a very short time. Similarly, adverts featuring holidays and gatherings of people on beaches or at parties now appear part of a past lifetime.

'Social Integration, Peace and Opening Up,' oil and acrylic on canvas, 100 x 140 cm (exhibited at the Dafen 1st International Oil Painting Biennale, 2018/19)

As artists we now find that exhibitions which were planned some time ago, gallery opportunities and our source of income has also been impacted on. Much is uncertain and several of my own exhibitions are now postponed. However, I've been selected for an interview for a high quality online art magazine called Art Habens which will be viewable in April and I'm busy writing answers to the interview questions. This sends a positive strand in to the future for me personally.

Personally I always feel I can keep going  through the positive impact of colour. My artwork inspires hope for the future and making it gives me a sense that life will return to normal at some point. It's a strong link with the future and I always believe in being optimistic.

At the same time, I'm exploring new ways to work as the art shops locally have closed and I'm not sure how long online art suppliers will continue to deliver materials. This has been a worry because I have several large paintings to make for exhibitions later this year. On the positive side, working with my collage series is still possible at this time as I have a large supply of cardboard, papers, paints and inks.  One of my favourite collages is the one below.

'B Went Missing In The Land,' mixed media on cardboard, 51 x 38 cm

People will keep continuing to find ways to feel as normal as they can. People will find ways to be inventive and to adapt to the new routine and life. One of the best things about modern technology is that whereas in World War 2 when they had only phones to contact one another, we have social media and can contact each other online, through Skype, through Messenger, and by sharing pictures and our thoughts. No one needs to feel alone, and there's always the phone if you don't have other means of contact. 

Every morning before I start to paint I view paintings on social media by my friends and it really lifts my mood. It was always part of my daily routine but now is more so. Art may be at the bottom of the list of things to buy right now when people are having to reduce visits to the supermarket, but online it can give joy to others and I've already been told by followers across social media that my artwork has lifted their mood. That's really warming to know during this time of social isolation. 

'The Sailor's Song,' acrylic on canvas, 50 x 60 cm

This last painting is about Hope. My father was in the Royal Navy and was a Commander with his own ship during the second World War. He used to tell me about the times he piloted a ship over 100 foot waves and dangerous moments navigating around icebergs. He also spoke about prayers to reach land safely when at sea in peril. This painting is about a rough sea in the evening, with high waves and rocks, and in the distance is the shoreline and safety. The boats are headed there.

Stay safe and well!

Instagram is an Incredible Tool for Artists

'Mountain-Tracks,' ink, acrylic and oil on canvas, 55 x 45 cm

I began using Facebook in 2009 and I have found it a very useful tool for connecting with artists around the world and discussing artwork and also exchanging tips and information. Then I joined Instagram a few months ago after an artist friend persuaded me to open an account, and now I am finding that I am spending more time on there than on Facebook! This may be to do with it being so 'instant,' because I can visit it on my iPad anytime and a few touches take me into other artist's work and any 'likes' of my posts pop up both on my iPad home screen and while I am browsing Instagram. I soon reached 1,200 followers and I feel I can access other artists faster than I can on Facebook. 

Another useful feature is that it also makes suggestions of artists and galleries based on my previous search history and this is very helpful because I don't need to spend so much time searching for information, and I have connected with galleries and curators very easily. Some then chose to follow my work.

'Ink Journey,' ink and acrylic on rice paper, 98 x 78 cm

The aspect I like about Social Media is that it allows me to see art from around the world and this really challenges my own work. I can also get feedback and connect with like-minded people. On Instagram the continual popping-up of imagery helps me to constantly evaluate my own artistic focus. This is not in order to 'copy' other artists' work but just to tighten up my technique, appraise my approach or to extend my directions. I believe that artists are always evaluating their work but this visual plethora of imagery really keeps you critically aware! Facebook is very good for long discussions about issues, or asking for tips on materials, but Instagram is better for seeing imagery fast and making those connections quickly. In a few minutes you can browse a great variety of painting techniques, subject matter, approaches and visual and written ideas.

On a different subject, I mentioned in an earlier post that I had been interviewed for a magazine. This interview has just been published in Art Reveal magazine, issue 39. It can be read online or bought as a printed copy.

Below this post is a link to the magazine cover and my interview can be found on pages 78 to 83.