we all went through it.
for some, it was a time of reset and relaxation
for others, it was isolation in its brutalist form
how can one distract themselves from the pain?
lockdown.
During the pandemic, I was trapped in a place that I felt very unwelcome in, with the only person to talk to being my brother. To keep from going insane, I focused all of my energy on my art. At least it would make me feel productive.
in addition to making art, I also explored the idea of selling it. At the time, I was no longer working, and so the idea of any extra dollar was amazing to me. I utilized RedBubble to display and sell my designs, but my heart wasn't ever really in it (plus, RedBubble as a platform is not kind to artists; but that's for another day.)
the impact of visual digital media
During the pandemic, my social life was online. Thus, I took to making TikToks to connect with others and potentially gain viewership on my artwork. Not only was I making artworks, but now the video processes also needed to be artful as well. As seen in these videos, the pieces I was making aren't all that special -- they are just replications of characters. However, that is the very thing TikTok thrives on: replications and reproductions.
After a long time of chasing likes, followers, and validation, I decided that I wanted to reconnect with my art and enjoy creating again. So, I began trying to hone my skill through painting from life, practicing anatomy, animal figures, and more. Although I was still posting on social media, I was not creating for the sole purpose of it. I was finding happiness again.
The following artworks were all created from 2020-2021.
