Image: Working in the Studio/workshop. Devon. 20/05/2020.

CREATIVITY.

Creativity is fundamental to the well being of society, a tool by which we communicate and share the pain and joy of the human condition. Many important artistic businesses and institutions, large and small, are under threat due to the economic consequences of the pandemic; to give just one example, reported in the national news that concerns were raised about the possible closure of London’s Globe Theatre. Artists, established or otherwise, are also feeling the pinch. I feel particularly for those up and coming creatives whose careers have hit a Covid brick wall. For artists of every sort it is vitally important, however hard it may be, that they keep creative in these difficult times.

As a change from normal I thought I would tell you what’s been happening with regard to my own creative output of late. Just to say I have been very lucky indeed so far and my  minimal difficulties have been nothing compared to others; I do however feel it is important that I keep being creative, even though my contribution to the arts is very  limited. Apart from focussing on cataloguing my paintings and sorting out more storage for my studio here, I have been fairly busy with the creative side of things. You know about my blog of course, which the business of sorting out my paintings has led to the re-discovery of several older works, which I have used to illustrate the odd post. Since the start of the lockdown I have been producing paintings for a French website based in Paris. They got in touch with me early in 2019, but the lockdown has given me the chance to finally get the time to sort out work and produce new pieces for them. I produced a piece for the online Plymouth show for Artsouthwest charity and recently I sent off a large textile and acrylic piece to the Costa Blanca, Spain, ready for a festival of selected artists banners, to be hung from balconies in the town of Gata De Gorgos in October. Rachael Bennet, an artist friend recently invited me to be part of a selected group of artists for an online exhibition of work, to help raise funds for the TAAG art centre in Teignmouth, and I produced a piece for this. Last Friday I had a zoom interview with Julie Brandon from The Artizan Gallery which will be posted soon on their web site and YOUtube. Today a package arrived from The St Ives Rotary Club, with an A5 card enclosed. Invited artists are asked to donate a painting for sale at £50, the Spot The Artist event is at The Porthmeor Studios, St Ives ( 20th September, with viewing on two previous days) depending of course on the progress of the virus. Total proceeds will be shared between the world campaign to eliminate Polio, the relief of poverty arising from the Covid 19 pandemic, and local arts charities and good causes. No doubt other opportunities will develop over the next few months to get involved with other exhibitions and initiatives, helping my own creative output but also to contribute to the growing desire of artists and galleries to do their bit for the continuation of art as a force for good in society.