I tend to express myself better with art than words, this tends to be due to the shortcomings of language and the confusion surrounding the way in which an audience perceives what is either being said or written. Though there is much room for interpretation with art, I feel it has a more universal and connecting role in our lives. Along with being able to express myself in this way much more fluently are the reasons why I choose to draw my experiences. Covid caused my unemployment and partially my homelessness, my brother and I had to couch hop which was a challenge during these times. Staying safe, having people willing to help due to the virus and other health related issues surrounding it. The same goes for finding a house to rent, though we eventually did, it was a friend of a family instead of an apartment or other. Places weren't renting out and there weren't vacant homes due to the inability to evict. My family has always been really important to me but they are at increased risk due to my parents age so we limited severally our physical contact and now live on our own. Food Pantries were more difficult to use due to restrictions and precautions and limited supplies. Being an artist and going to university has changed much as well, not being able to make art in the studios or have in person critics and lessons completely changed how I made art. My space was much smaller, I had access to less supplies and tools. I had to rent internet and a laptop from campus to continue my education while homeless until now. These challenges have only helped me grow not only as an artist but as a person as well. We continue to take precautions and follow all the guidelines.
January 18, 2021
This is an ongoing challenge, but I'm trying to stay creative in my efforts to find ways to have fun. First, I started dancing. In private. In my attic. I put on the Doors, "Light my Fire" to work out to, and decided I would just rather dance. I felt so much better afterwards, like I had really moved my body in ways I hadn't for a very long time. I enjoy the opportunity the pandemic has given me to try new things in the privacy of my own home. Second, I started trading Game Stop. Not sure this qualifies as fun-- it's totally nerve-wracking. But I do feel like I'm both watching AND acting in a Netflix drama. And I feel very invested in seeing Wall Street crash. I want those reddit folks to strip the hedge funds dry. They deserve it.The Reddit folks outsmarted them and deserve to win. Third, I'm reading YA books with my 12 year old niece. We each choose a book each month and then read and discuss. Fourth, I'm doing tons of cooking. I bought a pizza peel and pizza stone and made some delicious sourdough crust pizza the other day. Five, I'm playing lots of guitar. I did before, but not this much. All this time at home has helped me find new programs to practice with. Six, last week my daughter (with whom we bubble) came over for inauguration day and we drank (Well, I drank most of it) a bottle of champagne and with her brother and their father we played card games we hadn't played since they were little (They are 21 and 25 now). We had a really good laugh. Seven, I watch most of the clips of late night on Instagram. Just the best bits. I like to go to sleep laughing.
February 1, 2021