So as you may know we closed The Old Art Room Swaffham studio door, turned off the lights and loaded the car up with all the equipment and projects that I thought I might need to inspire myself and others not knowing how long we would be closed for. At that time we thought about three weeks.
Eight weeks on we have all gone on a rollercoaster of emotions and getting used to a 'Lockdown Life'.
Stewart and I feel very grateful that we have each other:))) So, a few weeks in we thought that would be fine, especially with the weather being warmer. We enjoy being together and setting goals around our, home, garden and business but like everyone this time has been bizarre.
Our first thoughts were to keep in touch with family, friends and clients at this unusual time. I chose traditional and also the route of email, social media, Facebook, live 10am weekdays. Thank you so much for those who join in and have viewed in their time:))) It has been a wonderful way of sharing , creativity, routines and local deliveries.
I had already put in place Art Studio Daily last year and over Christmas and New Year. Myself and Gemma worked on ArtStudioDaily Patreon and Art Studio Daily You Tube for me to be able to produce online content. We also put a newsletter via email in place and we were getting months ahead of ourselves with themes and layouts. Little did we know that within two months of the studio being open after the Christmas break we would have to rethink the format of the newsletter, which I can tell you we had moved mountains to get it to the original layout. We have managed to get it out a couple of times spending many hours to do this. Thank you Gemma for the amazing patience and tech skills. It is hard due to the emotional connection to the studio and it having an uncertain future.
Click the links below to visit the Facebook, You Tube or Patreon Pages.
Thank you to everyone who donated via the links on the newsletter and Facebook. After advice for the HMRC I set up a GoFundMe page. I was and still am apprehensive as I feel it is begging but soon realised it was the only way of keeping the bills paid as time is moving on. Stewart and I have always been self funding. Over the years many have donated time and items to the studio which keeps it running. We are lovers of recycling and making it work. The small business grant came in and paid all the outgoings of the studio until the end of June. A relief as it has been a worrying time.
If you would like to donate view our GoFundMe page it would really be appreciated. You can do it by name or anonymously.
GoFundMe Page
So, for the next weeks ahead* Facebook Live Monday to Thursday. Continuing to share with those who want to join in by commenting and sharing photos of what they have and are creating. Filming for Patreon and You Tube, learning how to go live on You Tube to share a creation time.
I announced on Facebook Live there is to be a virtual Exhibition in The Old Art Room studio on the 20th of July 2020. A way of creating now for a purpose and sharing work that has been created at this time so a call for submissions:)) For those local to Swaffham, placement within the studio, those from afar a photograph to share and then an online tour. Email me for details and submission ideas.
I am producing an installation based on a tent. Stewart and I are normally at open air festivals or camping at this time of year and into the summer, so this installation is to honour this and the concept of home and isolation due to the virus. The idea has been brewing since a few weeks in to lock down and now I feel ready to start this creative journey and share it with you.
Thank you again for sharing, following and supporting, it really is appreciated.
