COVID 19 ART .... my journey to mental health

Looking at YOU TUBE, I decided to try various skills that were shown and how to paint specific objects. I decided to use Acrylic paints as I am not confident enough to use watercolour which is very skilled. 

I purchased a lot of Acrylic paint. At first, I used lots and wasted lots but gradually I am in more control of my paint use. This is a question of experience. 

My husband has kindly framed and mounted various pieces around the house and I have been so prolific in 4 months that my house is now like an art gallery. 

Lockdown was March and by April, I had ordered and received art supplies and made a start. I did not know what I was doing with my first piece or if I would even continue. My first attempt is bottom left on the collage above. Not my finest work, but it was my first and so I have kept it. 

The poppies bottom right though was my second piece. Everyone loved this and the comments gave my confidence. Including those from my big brother Frank.

By April 24th, my mood was sinking however and my Art accordingly was increasingly dark, reflecting my mood so I made a conscious effort to be light and positive. This helped my mood to lift. 

"The shed " below was an exercise in painting the texture of old wood but was my last "dark" piece. I have kept this and included it here because, my journey hasn’t been easy sailing. 

Therefore, May 1st was the start of my deliberate effort to lift my mood by positive art and I painted the "Secret Garden " whilst ostensibly wanting to learn to do stairs. 

This is everyone's COVID 19 favourite, People feel they are walking up and out of the dark times. This was precisely the effect I had wanted.  This was my work after a month's painting experience. 

Encouraged by improvement and reaction, I decided to experiment with texture in art, using gesso, an acrylic primer to put texture into my art. “The Wedding guest” “Angel watching over the night city” and the “Drying lavender” are my absolute favourites. 

This Flower Seller was more about painting on text in Vitntage French style than about art skills themselves. 

My niece asked me for a painting for her son's Baptism and I wanted something to be of suitable religious content but also of interest to a growing boy. 

Here I present, "The Moment of Creation".

I wanted to know how to do reflections in art so this piece came from a  You Tube tutorial. 

Walking in the rainy city.  Focus: Reflections. 

Art has certainly been a great therapy during this few months of Crisis. Choose something creative and you may find it helps you.