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Painting During the Pandemic & Staying Focused in an Unfocused World

The Pandemic Line Up of Small Paintings

To give you an idea of the sizes involved, the largest is a 10X10" and the smallest is a 5X7." Close ups of each are shown in the post.

Another size comparison is to note the background is a 36X48" painting.

I will continue to paint other sizes, but I hope to paint a lot of these small "pandemic paintings" while we are in isolation.

In the post on Color Phases, I mentioned an urge to experiment with the primaries. That's how this post began, but it has morphed into thoughts and the ups and downs of painting during the pandemic.

I'll try to connect the dots, but you must realize that staying focused in an unfocused world is paramount to being creative.

Here are some tips I have found useful while trying to work during a global pandemic when most of are self-quarantining and social distancing. Featured throughout this post are some of the smaller paintings I've been painting.

Establish a routine, but don't beat yourself up if you don't stick to it. Routines during this pandemic are stabilizing influences.

I spend most of my time in the studio pictured above. 

Like many families during quarantine, I have called my son in to my rural area of Virginia from the more densely populated Washington, DC. He writes upstairs. I paint in the free standing studio. Neither of us wants to be disturbed during the week, so I cook a large pot of soup for the weekdays. Soup is ready for the taking during the day. Dinners are composed of take outs bought on Sunday and reheated when individually wanted. On weekdays we communicate via text.

Housekeeping is another matter, though I did hear a successful housekeeping story. A toddler and her parents have moved in with his parents during quarantine. The adults are writers and editors, so other than living together, not much work-related adjustment has been made. For 10 minutes a day, they all perform chores. Think about it, that's a combined 40 minutes of housework a day.

Our schedule alters my painting schedule a bit as my usual work habits are more flexible depending on what is dry. Sans pandemic, I might take a break on a weekday for recharging and for paint drying, but I'm adapting to more regulation. Yes, I know I could paint on several paintings at once. I do, but I also like to immerse myself in a painting. 

Why not revisit my first assignment in my first college art class-the primaries? I envisioned this post as an experiment using examples of what I produced. That experiment lasted for two paintings, one of which I've revamped using other colors. I made up the rules, so I can break the rules.

Fog at Sunrise, 10X10," Oil on Panel

This was my first attempt at primaries + white. 

What matters the most during this pandemic is figuring out a way to take care of yourself.

One way to take care of yourself is to get those creative juices going. If you can rid your mind of distractions, you have a chance of being creative. I am reminded of friends who love to create amidst chaos. If you're one of those people, this situation in which we find ourselves is ideal for you. For me, the isolation is divine-the chaotic nation and world, not so much.

Being emotionally divorced from the fear of uncertainty is difficult to achieve. For me, my preferred drama is on the canvas or the stage, not in real life.

The Meadow, 8X8," Oil on Panel

This was my second attempt at using only primary colors + white. I spent most of my time mixing and wasn't satisfied with the result.

I revamped the entire small painting and came up with this.

Stick with the small stuff. As one friend stated, "I have made a goal to accomplish one thing a day even if it's emptying the dishwasher."

I think this is a wonderful time to have fun with some much smaller panels. If the wind would die down long enough to work outside, I would love to do more work such as the painting below.

Accomplishing small tasks like emptying the dishwasher, finishing small paintings gives the painter an instant gratification-something has been achieved. We can get through a lot by taking baby steps.

The Long View, 6X8," Oil on Panel

I tend to alter what I am seeing. The wall was shorter. There were trees in the foreground. The fog was in the distance.

Figure out a way to have fun.

I try to have fun with every single painting I paint. In order to have fun, I treat every single painting as an experiment. I'm not sure I would want to paint otherwise. If I had a formula all figured out in advance, the fun might last for one more painting, but that's it. Create a problem and then solve it.

This was great fun until it became windy and chilly.

Rush River Overcast & Overflowing, 5X7," Oil on Panel

We are all concerned with our global situation. Making the world a better place for all is paramount to our existence. Those who know how to sew are making masks and I applaud them as well as those volunteering with food banks, etc. My heart goes out to the essential workers such as those in the medical field, grocery employees, the police and firemen, and all those who are still working and dealing with the public. Just going to work is literally a death defying act. 

Don't beat yourself up if you aren't outwardly helping others. Another way to help others is by simply staying put. As many quipped when first in isolation, "Who knew I would be helping humanity by lying on my sofa, watching Netflix, and drinking beer?" 

Or, as another said after being isolated for three days, "I finished Netflix."

I don't know how to sew. I'm not medical. I choose to stay put and be productive and creative while staying put. At the very least, "it'll keep me outta trouble."

If you feel antsy or bored, create.

Stayin' Home, 6X8," Oil on Panel

Sometimes not working is more beneficial than working.

Recharging your creative batteries can be a valuable gift you give to yourself.

That's what I'm doing this weekend.

Enjoy the process!

  Ruthie Windsor-Mann

This post is part of a series of Q & As between Ruthie Windsor-Mann and Sidney Oliver. 

We invite the reader to join in with other questions in the comments section. This needs to be interactive in order to work.

All photographs are by Ruthie Windsor-Mann unless otherwise credited.

Copyright 2020 Ruthie Windsor-Mann All Rights Reserved