Making the most of lockdown

Just to set the record straight, painting isn't my full time job. I work for the NHS.

I work in communications as a graphic designer, which means that, for the foreseeable future, I get to work from home.

I know I'm lucky just now. I have a full-time job which gives me a salary and structure 5 days a week, and I have a garden to escape to when I need some time outdoors.

Painting has become more important to me at this time. It's an escape from the strange reality we all now find ourselves in. I miss my family, my friends and my partner and I'm desperate to meet my little niece who was born just before lockdown.

Though, thankfully, I'm not on the front line, like so many of my colleagues, my workload is heavy and I find work mentally challenging and exhausting. Without a creative output, I think I would struggle.

I have painted for years but over the last 2/3 years life has taken over allowing little time to pick up a paintbrush, so, during lockdown, I have set myself a challenge to paint every day. It doesn't have to be for long but it does have to be regular.

I'm hoping that by following this discipline, I can, at last, develop a distinctive style, as well as producing some work fit for sale.

So far, I have 2 pieces I think I'm happy with and 2 works in progress, so I guess I'll just keep going.