Working In Isolation: Collaborations and Mentoring Neurodiverse Artists Brings New Direction and Inspiration to the Work of This Artist

Most artists work in relative isolation.  Our collective art practices and the creative process demands it.  It goes against the human urge to congregate and socialize.  Still, we persevere as the 'call to create' nudges us.  We then deliberately make space - intellectually, emotionally and physically. We move forward quietly, with intention and faith in the process.

Never have we been more aware of isolation than time spent in this Corona Virus pandemic environment. It is not our choice, but as artists we are familiar and in some ways ahead of the game over our fellow citizens by our familiarity and relative comfort with the loneliness of self - containment.  

During the pandemic San Diego artist Amanda Saint Claire experiments with new mediums, new themes and a fruitful connection via collaborations, and mentoring to neurodiverse artists.

Pre-Pandemic:

                                              Acquainted With the Night      acrylic and oil      45" x 65"     2019
                

During Pandemic:

                                                      Censored  acrylic and oil      36" x 48"         2020

                                                   Carrying On      oil and acrylic       36" x 48"       2020

1.  How has your work shifted during the pandemic?  Has it been a change in the process of your creating art?  The mediums you use? The themes or concepts you are thinking about?

 

I have always preferred to work in isolation but when the stay at home orders went into effect I spent the first week at home with my children trying to figure out what it all meant.  Once it became clear that the situation would last longer I returned to the studio and completed a large commission that had been ordered in January and put the final touches on a body of work that was scheduled for a summer show at Fresh Paint Gallery in La Jolla.  Once the days turned to weeks and I delivered the commission I started working full time delivering groceries because I felt I had to be of service.   I was in an emergency responder mode working 10 hours 7 days a week finding items people needed most.  In addition to this, the situation in my own studio changed in June and I started subletting one of the rooms in my studio to neurodiverse emerging artist, Katie Flores. 

I was still not creating my own work however, and noticing the lack of balance, I decided to set up two new opportunities for myself to explore at the studio to peak my curiosity.  I bought a large supply of acrylic paint and mediums (I am an oil painter) and  I invited another artist to my large studio to work on my figure drawing.  While I have worked with figures in the past, my primary concern is capturing emotional states so looking carefully at references was a new muscle to develop.  Also, learning to accept the limitations of acrylic paint and embrace the good parts of the media was another challenge that kept me focused. I found both the media and the reference drawing challenging but I was very happy with the results of that effort and I'm sure I will continue to employ and develop those skills.

I became very focused on the repeating theme of women lifting up and loving other women. I continued to throw myself into the role of Katie's mentor and our hours together increased due to the closure of all her other programs and I was able to watch her blossom with great delight  while continuing to work on my figures of women.

It wasn't until later that I realized that I was painting about myself and my work with Katie and my role as a mother to two teenage daughters and the need to unite against a patriarchal system that permeates all aspects of society, including the art world.

 

2.  What have you discovered about yourself as an artist during this pandemic?

I have a deep seated desire to seek justice for those whom society has disregarded.  I think perhaps this started for me as child watching my deaf grandparents struggle to be treated with respect.  I could hear the things people said about them when we were in public and it made me angry.  This is likely why I went to Tulane Law and  became an attorney and practiced law, although I never went on to work with  human rights organizations because I wasn't truly aware of my motivations.  I just felt angry and life had other plans for me once I married, moved to S.E. Asia and had 3 children. 

 When I shifted to being a full time artist in my mid-40's I felt like I was finally in my right skin, but I struggled to find satisfaction to effect lasting change in the world. I felt selfish and that  I was turning my back on humanity but it was all I felt I could do. I eventually came to understand that by creating a place of peace within I was contributing to peace in the world.

The gift of the pandemic has been the opportunity to work one on one with a talented young woman, Katie Flores,  who has a passion, work ethic, and talent to become a professional artist but cannot do so on her own because of the limitations she has due to being diagnosed as Austistic as a young girl.

I have discovered that I have a gift as a mentor. I can finally feel at ease as an artist creating opportunities for another artist that would otherwise be marginalized and excluded from fully participating in the world.  I have introduced Katie to other artists and lined up shows for her and set up an e-commerce website.

The pandemic has given me the gift of marrying these two parts of myself and restoring peace within that I am taking right action to affect change in the world.

3.  What have been your biggest challenges working in isolation?  Surprises?

I can't say I had a challenge to my work because I have my own studio.  The challenges were more mental, emotional, and physical.  I just didn't feel right going to paint, outside of finishing projects.  I felt I could be of more value delivering groceries and supplies to those unable to go out.

The biggest challenge was not seeing my friends and not having access to my gym and feeling guilty that my children were just sitting at home all the time. I had just established a fitness routine at age 50 and was finally feeling that I had a nice work/life balance when the pandemic hit.  I haven't been able to find good routines since.

The surprise was that I would return to school to finish my certification as an Expressive Arts Consultant and Educator during the pandemic and discover that I can finally feel like I am living in my truth by working towards justice as an artist working with neurodiverse artists.  

Periods of darkness have always held truths for me to discover.  I started painting and discovered I was an artist during a long period of depression and so it makes sense to me that another trying situation would reveal another truth to me.  I look forward to a long and fruitful career collaborating with and mentoring other artists.

www.amandasaintclaire.com

https://www.instagram.com/amandasaintclaire/

https://www.instagram.com/amp_artistproject/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-st-claire-5809872a/

Working In Isolation: Loss of His Father and Step-Father, This Artist Turned Grief Into Inspiration, Creating an Exhibition for Queer Artists

Most artists work in relative isolation.  Our collective art practices and the creative process demands it.  It goes against the human urge to congregate and socialize.  Still, we persevere as the 'call to create' nudges us.  We then deliberately make space - intellectually, emotionally and physically. We move forward quietly, with intention and faith in the process.

Never have we been more aware of isolation than time spent in this Corona Virus pandemic environment. It is not our choice, but as artists we are familiar and in some ways ahead of the game over our fellow citizens by our familiarity and relative comfort with the loneliness of self - containment.  

Los Angeles artist Ryan Henisey creates sculpture, installation and performance art. Having lost his father and step-father during the pandemic, he has turned his grief into inspiration and curated an exhibition called Queer Isolation at the TAG Gallery that runs through the end of October, 2020.

Pre-Pandemic:

           Are We Out of the Woods   hanging paper cut-outs of trees, papier mache hearts with wings  2019

During Pandemic:

                   Henisey Talks About Performance in Interview      Link:     https://youtu.be/4Ww2Fas79k8

                    QUEER Isolation           Curated exhibition, TAG Gallery                  August - October 2020

1) How has your work shifted during the pandemic? Has it been a change in the process of you creating art? The mediums you use? The themes or concepts you are thinking about?

 The pandemic has slowed me down. And that’s a great thing.

 

In “regular” life, I‘d be operating at a mile a minute, balancing a career, the needs of an artist cooperative, my own practice, and life. All while zipping around in my little orange car.

 

But with global shut downs, Stay Home orders in California, and increasing needs at the gallery, I’ve slowed my creative and exhibition goals to better fit the shifting world.

 

Creatively, I’d planned on debuting in China with a cohort of Los Angeles Art Association artists, exhibiting a solo show at TAG Gallery, and more. As those plans delayed, I decided to take time explore new ideas and focus on elevating the cooperatives gallery experience for both our artists and patrons.

 

This space has allowed me to focus on artwork outside of my normal practice. I’ve experimented with new materials—such as papier mache, plaster, and concrete.

 

And rather than focusing on my own exhibition, I was inspired to make space for queer artists. QUEER isolation, was a small celebration of pride that displayed through August. The show is in my studio at TAG Gallery and features 20 different artists, from as far west as Honolulu, Hawaii to as far east as South Bend, Indiana. The display is extended through the end of October 2020.

 

It’s been a joy to see and experience the art of others, especially in this time where we are isolating and keeping distance.

 

 

2) What have you discovered about yourself as an artist during this pandemic? 

 

Oh my! So much, but everything that feels new is also an old friend.

 

I’ve spent a lot of time on self reflecting, taking more than a handful of personality tests. Going into

the pandemic, was a period of loss for me—both my father and step-father passed within a month of 

each other, leaving the hollow places we all experience with grief. The personality tests were a way to 

ground myself (and look out for those parts of myself then can be read negatively by others).

 

In the refreshers, I was struck by how often my ruthless drive towards accomplishment was discussed. Across all of the tests, that thread of zeal was identified as important and set part of my personality.

 

The amplification of our emotional states in isolation has certainly shown that ruthlessness to be true. 

I tend to be unrelenting when pursuing a worthy goal.

 

While that part of myself is not new—nor even new to me—the hyper awareness of it through grief 

and isolation is something that has changed. I’m not likely to apologize for my zeal, but I will forewarn you of it.

 

 3) What have been your biggest challenges working in isolation? Surprises?

 

My biggest challenge in isolation was being “trapped” in the same room. Until July, I was on special assignment for work, responding specifically to Covid-19. The hours were long and the impact was

quite stressful (both are atmospheres where I thrive). But the small spare room at home (half artist studio, half partner’s office) was much too small and confining for me.

 

I really missed the studio most. Though only slightly larger of a room, my work/show space in the

Loft at TAG Gallery is one of my favorite things. Having it closed from March to June was a loss.

 

Conversely, I was able to put more hours in fine art creation and experimentation. So while it was

a challenge to keep myself in a smaller space than I’d grown accustomed, it was nice to spend more time making.

 

Links:

Website: https://kryanhenisey.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KRyanHenisey/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kryanhenisey/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kryanhenisey

 

Working In Isolation: Without Anticipation and Concern of a Public Exhibition, This Artist Feels Free to Create Unselfconsciously

  Most artists work in relative isolation.  Our collective art practices and the creative process demands it.  It goes against the human urge to congregate and socialize.  Still, we persevere as the 'call to create' nudges us.  We then deliberately make space - intellectually, emotionally and physically. We move forward quietly, with intention and faith in the process.

Never have we been more aware of isolation than time spent in this Corona Virus pandemic environment. It is not our choice, but as artists we are familiar and in some ways ahead of the game over our fellow citizens by our familiarity and relative comfort with the loneliness of self - containment.  

San Diego artist Susan Osborn has changed mediums from assemblage to painting and collage and is loving this new journey of experimentation during COVID.

Pre-Pandemic:

                                Duck Roll      found object assemblage    12” h x 6” w x 3”d    2019

During Pandemic:

            Rain, Flowers, Sunset      paper and fabric collage, acrylic      28” h x 24” w x 3/4” d    2020

 

1.  How has your work shifted during the pandemic?  Has it been a change in the process of your creating art?  The mediums you use? The themes or concepts you are thinking about?

 

I have always used collage and mixed materials in my work.  From 2007 until 2020, I was occasionally doing mixed-media collage painting but I was mostly creating assemblages.  Yet more and more, I was feeling an urge to paint but needed to know more about the new painting materials before I could start. When thrift stores went on lock down and estate sales ended, I had no place to search for assemblage objects I needed. It was a perfect excuse to learn about the new acrylic paints and techniques from Golden Paint demonstrations.

 

I began experimenting on small panels and would enlarge the size a bit more with each new work. Then in I late February I read about an artist using fabric in her paintings with an emphasis on pattern.  I realized that the patterns in fabric could dictate the theme of my work.  I began to collage fabric pieces onto wood or canvas. 

 

2.  What have you discovered about yourself as an artist during this pandemic?

 

As I painted more and more I realize how sensuous the materials are.  Seeing colors mix and the smoothness of pushing a loaded paintbrush over a surface brings joy, surprise and excitement. My training is as a painter. I didn’t realize how much I have missed it and how much it is a part of me.

 

Lately, while I am creating, I am no longer concerned about what others see in my work.  I am focused on creating while I see and work with wild abandon.  This could be because I have no venue for exhibition for my work now that galleries, libraries and colleges are closed.

 

3.  What have been your biggest challenges working in isolation?  Surprises?

 

It is difficult because I lack inspiration from seeing art in galleries and museums.  Seeing art in person gives me so many new ideas. I have turned now to my books and virtual exhibits which aren’t the same because they lack the color and space.

 

I get saddened when other artists say they can’t work.

 

I miss the critique from other artists and studio visits that give me feedback on my work.

 

I miss not being able to get my work out where it can be seen. I am at high risk due to my asthma and feel threatened even going into a gallery with a mask. 

 

I miss not being able to pick up work that was in three exhibits at libraries and college because of lockdown. 

 

As things open up again, gradually, I wonder if my attitudes with change. Will I be enthused about promoting my artwork?  Will I be happy because my artists friends begin working again and meeting me in my studio (or I in theirs) with great art critiques and ideas?  Will I be inspired by seeing all the new work in galleries? Time will tell. 

                                                    Susan Osborn in Studio   2020

 

 

Susan J. Osborn

Facebook: susan j osborn art

Instagram: susanjosborn

www.osbornart.com

 

Working In Isolation: Fear Intensifies For This Artist Throughout The Pandemic As Healing Comes with Creating Art

 Most artists work in relative isolation.  Our collective art practices and the creative process demands it.  It goes against the human urge to congregate and socialize.  Still, we persevere as the 'call to create' nudges us.  We then deliberately make space - intellectually, emotionally and physically. We move forward quietly, with intention and faith in the process.

Never have we been more aware of isolation than time spent in this Corona Virus pandemic environment. It is not our choice, but as artists we are familiar and in some ways ahead of the game over our fellow citizens by our familiarity and relative comfort with the loneliness of self - containment.  

San Diego Artist Linda Litteral while having been busy with a combination of a residency and creating art in her studio, finds the isolation has intensified the negative psychological issues that ironically have been a source of creativity and healing.

Pre-pandemic:

Armor            11"  x 12" x 19 " tall        Porcelain       2015

During Pandemic:

Pandemic Pots     4" dia x 9" tall approximate each separate vase and lid       porcelain       2020

 

                                                                Linda In The Studio

1)     How has your work shifted during the pandemic? Has it been a change in the process of you creating art? The mediums you use? The themes or concepts you are thinking about?

My work tends to evolve slowly, the content of childhood sexual abuse, trauma, and feminist issues stays with everything I do. I was at a residency at Desert Dairy in the beginning of the pandemic and stayed for 2 weeks. The energy and beauty of the desert and looking out at Joshua Tree National Monument was wonderful. It gave me a quiet entrance into the pandemic. When I was back home and in my studio, I really did not want to paint and have been working primarily in clay. I do not think my work has changed much, it just continues its evolution. I started working on spirals and how to carve and draw them at the residency. They have always been in my work but, seem to be central for now. I am working on a 7 foot totem that will be the center of a labyrinth I designed that the Feminist Image Group is doing for Desert Dairy space. It gives the group something to look forward to and we will go out and construct it this fall.

 

2) What have you discovered about yourself as an artist during this pandemic? 

 

It has been a difficult time to stay focused and moving forward. The lack of control over what I can do is too closely related to my childhood lack of control as an incest survivor. PTSD has raised its ugly head. As an artist I have pushed to stay busy as it is the one thing, art making, that allows me some psychological peace. While I am making art it is calm and I have purpose that makes sense in the moment. I find I like not having to have all the deadlines and constrictions on studio time that we had before the pandemic. I am pretty good at being an introvert and spending time with myself in my art making capacity.

 

The creative process is an innate human characteristic. This time has solidified that understanding for me. If we continue to repress our children's creativity by defunding all the arts, and trivializing creativity's value, we will be building the world that the Republican Trump administration stands for. Lies, gluttony, greed, hatred, misogyny, bigotry, etc.... Creativity is a shining light to a better world.  

 

3) What have been your biggest challenges working in isolation? Surprises?

 

The biggest challenge has been staying focused and contending with the past. While I have been speaking with my therapist throughout, I miss the one on one in person aspect of healing. The biggest surprise has been the way I have isolated almost completely. I rarely talk to anyone and while I do miss people, I have not pushed to have a lot of contact with anyone. There is fear involved in going out into the world that seems to be based in past traumas, and amplified by the ongoing trauma of the pandemic. The challenge will be to integrate the healing to encompass past, present and future that we cannot know. Then to address the healing evolution with art work.

 

Linda Litteral

www.lindalitteral.com

www.healingartprocess.com

Instagram: @lindalitteralartist

Facebook: @lindalitteral

Facebook: @lindalitteralartist

Working In Isolation: How Prioritizing Family Challenged This Artist In Making Space for Art-Making

Most artists work in relative isolation.  Our collective art practices and the creative process demands it.  It goes against the human urge to congregate and socialize.  Still, we persevere as the 'call to create' nudges us.  We then deliberately make space - intellectually, emotionally and physically. We move forward quietly, with the intention and faith in the process.

Never have we been more aware of isolation than time spent in this Corona Virus pandemic environment. It is not our choice, but as artists we are familiar and in some ways ahead of the game over our fellow citizens by our familiarity and relative comfort with the loneliness of self -containment.  

Artist Ellen Deiter shares how the challenges of COVID forced her to alter her home life and art practice to accommodate the needs of her family while continuing to make space for art-making.

Pre-Pandemic:

                              Flower Power       mixed media        36" x 36"        2020

During Pandemic:

Fearless       mixed media on canvas        36" x 36"        2020

Ellen Dieter in Studio

1)     How has your work shifted during the pandemic? Has it been a change in the process of you creating art? The mediums you use? The themes or concepts you are thinking about?

 

When we were ordered to shelter-in-place, my practice changed drastically. With my daughter and grandsons living with me at the time, all of a sudden we were on top of each other.  I normally worked during the day while they were at school and work. Now, I was helping them during the day, get on their zooms, make food, clean, etc….So, I had to adjust my practice to work at night when the house was quiet. At first, my work continued as always, but of course the ideas of what is happening get into ones head and out onto the canvases. I did a series on feeling lost at sea, my horse and rider series took on a new look with the rider wearing masks, and some small works dealt with social distancing.  The before painting I show here with the three women expresses friendship and standing together, the shelter in place painting, with the singular person reflects on the actual times, with BLM included, which for me, I have always supported.

 

 

2) What have you discovered about yourself as an artist during this pandemic? 

 

I am so amazed at how adaptive the human being is. How we can continue to put one foot in front of the other in the face of adversity. When we got the orders to shelter in place, when the schools closed, I thought, there is no way we will get through this. how will we get through this. But I soon realized that every day, I got up, got dressed, made my bed and did the next designated thing that needed to be done.  I did what I needed to do to stay healthy and sane. We are not “through” this yet, so, I am continuing to do just that, one day at a time. I also realized that helping my daughter and grandsons is what kept me going.

As for as what I learned about myself as an artist, I realized, well, actually already knew, I could just stay in my studio and paint. Before Covid, I would feel guilty if I didn’t go out in the day, and just stayed in my studio. So Covid gave me permission to do just that.

 

 

 3) What have been your biggest challenges working in isolation? Surprises?

 

I don’t have many challenges working in isolation. Maybe the biggest surprise is how much I do enjoy working in isolation. That said, I do miss having coffee with other artists and talking in person. I miss my group yoga and dance. I belong to a womens' artist group, TWA, and I miss our in person gatherings. The lack of physical meeting is a big challenge and plays with my mental state. I am grateful for the different zoom meetings, grateful for zoom, it is an imperfect solution for now.

 

 

https://ellendieterartist.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/EllenDieterArt

https://www.instagram.com/ellendieter/

 

Working In Isolation: This Artist Calls Her Practice During COVID 'An Introvert's Paradise'

Most artists work in relative isolation.  Our collective art practices and the creative process demands it.  It goes against the human urge to congregate and socialize.  Still, we persevere as the 'call to create' nudges us.  We then deliberately make space - intellectually, emotionally and physically. We move forward quietly, with the intention and faith in the process.

Never have we been more aware of isolation than time spent in this Corona Virus pandemic environment. It is not our choice, but as artists we are familiar and in some ways ahead of the game over our fellow citizens by our familiarity and relative comfort with the loneliness of self -containment.  

Artist Stacy Nixon works on her art practice in remote areas of California and New Mexico, so working in isolation is comfortable for her. As Nixon puts it: 

"Working in isolation is an introvert's paradise." 

Pre-Pandemic:

                           Mollis Vox             Encaustic and Pigment on Panel               30 x 30                   2019

During Pandemic:

       Equine Standard         Encaustic Mixed Media on Paper with Gold Leaf           25 x 19               2020

1) How has your work shifted during the pandemic? Has it been a change in the process of you creating art? The mediums you use? The themes or concepts you are thinking about?

 I was fortunate enough to be wrapping up a residency program as things began to shut down in mid march. I feel like I’ve had a super extended 6 month residency, really. Pre-pandemic I was focused largely on textural detail in my work, knowing I wanted to incorporate figures but not clear on how they would come in or what their purpose was. During that residency I began to get a glimmer of what I would later develop at home during quarantine. Lots and lots of figures began showing up in the form of the animals that trot past my studio, people in interesting silhouettes against their surroundings and architectural bits and pieces. I feel like I began to unload some of the enormous swirling subconscious ideas we were all experiencing about our places in the world and in relation to each other. I also began working on large beautiful paper instead of boards as I had been. Being free to make LOTS of pieces during this time, without attachment, has been so freeing. I have nailed down a beautiful process that I am so happy with and a series I feel is truly cohesive because of the state of mind I was in when creating it. 

 2) What have you discovered about yourself as an artist during this pandemic? 

 This time has shown me how much I thrive on long periods of uninterrupted isolation. Different artists thrive on different ratios of solitude and stimulation- I think I have now figured out my ideal balance. I feel it is easier to hear what the work wants when its quiet for a long time. Also, knowing there is no hurry to complete anything or an expectation to get on with it is the best kind of freedom. It’s the introverts paradise. 

 3) What have been your biggest challenges working in isolation? Surprises? 

For me the biggest challenge has been not being able to physically connect with people around making and showing art. Getting together with people who are making art themselves or are interested in what I have made adds such a special texture to life that just doesn’t translate to the virtual world. Talking about art while standing in front of it with someone is one of life's great pleasures- it lets our humanity peek out. And just like everyone else having shows cancelled or go virtual,  has been disappointing. The thing I found most surprising is being able to let go of my dislike for technology. It is usually pretty intense. But I decided it's not all bad. I live out in the sticks in California and New Mexico, where attending a class on a whim or a guild meeting is a major undertaking- so zoom has been quite gratifying in that way. It's almost like being a fly on the wall, also an introverts paradise. 

https://stacynixonart.com

instagram: @artstac