As we approach new restrictions due to the pandemic, it is a potent moment to remember how we fared during the initial lockdown. During that time I captured the emotions of my friends and turned them in to a series of paintings.
Each week from March 23rd to the end of June, I took the feelings that people shared and translated them into paintings. I did four or five small boards each week and shared them on social media so friends and followers could vote for their favourites. I kept the top ones and painted over the rest. The larger ones that made the cut are captured in a new book ‘words and colours - a record from lockdown’.
The paintings evoke particular moments and how things evolved in those first months. Early weeks capture the loss and disruption we all experienced with ‘Discombobulated’ and ‘Anxiety’. ‘Sensitive Boredom’ and ‘Fragile and Listless’ reflect the middle weeks when the initial fear had worn off., but everyone was stuck at home. We are reminded how nature and spring sunshine carried us through in ‘hope building’ and ‘thankful for nature’.
It was clear that events shaped the words that people shared, along with whatever was happening with the work and families. The book also records what was happening more widely - from coronavirus statistics, to the actions of Dominic Cummings and the murder of George Floyd.
It wasn’t just the painting. It was the connection and engagement. I am interested in creating shared pieces of art that lots of people contribute to. This project was a way to do that during lockdown. But more importantly, It was an essential way to stay connected and check everyone was doing OK.
It is so exciting to be able to bring this snapshot of a strange time together into a book. It’s like a little piece of history in real-time. It is also a way to raise some money for charities that have been hit so hard by the pandemic. You can buy the book directly here, or get in touch via the contact form. The individual paintings are also available on this website or via Instagram @stephaniedraperartist.
