In the meantime, during the lock down, I kept myself busy by taking part in a Zoom drawing class given by Dionne Swift, from England. Although I have done several drawing classes prior to this, I have really enjoyed Dionne's approach. Each week, she presents a different aspect of drawing and also gives us lots of homework, which I think is the key. I have carried my sketchbook all over the world, and never thought I had time or opportunity to draw in it. Now, after doing the many quick drawings, I have already started drawing in my sketchbook. Too bad I am limited in places to go!
Contour Drawing
Landscape - from photos
Landscape in plein air
Perspective
Atmospheric Perspective
Tonal Drawing
My other lockdown project was to finally finish my daughter's wedding quilt. She was married 14 years ago so it was definitely time to get this project further along. The material had matured long enough! It is probably like everyone's unfinished projects. You get stumped by things not working out as expected, you are not up to the task and need to learn more skills or just need the get up and go to work out problems as you go along, secure in the knowledge that you can do it. It is a big project, a double wedding ring quilt. I have been learning and improving as I go along. It is not finished yet, but finally the top and back are together and I am about half way through hand quilting. It has been meditative work doing the hand stitching and has been great company for the many hours of Netflix we have endured.
I have started to have a few outdoor group get togethers recently, although I am not really comfortable yet with seeing people. I feel that if I want to take risks, I would rather do it with my family and grandkids, who I haven't hugged in three months. I still haven't set foot in a store and get my groceries either delivered or my kids get the odd extras for us. Otherwise we have made good use of online shopping; something we did pretty regularly before. We have also done some click and collects which have been really successful. We are learning to manage in the new normal and the Zoom get togethers and family Scatagories games have meant we are still keeping in contact with family and friends.
Here's to all the people who have been keeping us safe; the health care professionals, including members of my family who are taking care of those who fall ill; and all the unsung heros who keep doing their jobs from home, parents becoming teachers for their children, and many others doing the mundane jobs but without whom we could not survive. In the meantime, I will keep my distance, wear my mask, keep doing things to keep my brain active and walking and doing online workouts to keep my body from disintergrating too far, and bake the odd loaf of bread; until such time that we come out the other end of this. Hopefully we will remembers the lessons learned and create a better more caring, clean and just world.
