corona virus diary - end of lockdown

War of the invisible

It came swiftly across the air a killing miasma crossing counties without care.  We all jumped for cover in our homes waiting release or worse waiting for incarnation of intensive care or worse still death.

It was an education a learning process and a presentiment of possible future mutations. Each day the death toll was announced and rose; the fear of the invisible touched us all.  We watched the daily news avidly until it became so ordinary it was impossible to watch anymore.  But we learned how to adapt in the drudge of waiting. No longer 'eating out' we enjoyed the pleasures of cooking again.And for some the waiting in line for food parcels.

We learned to listen to the silence, to the mindfulness of nature and to watch webinars. We had gratitude for a walk once a day among the cleaner air and bird song. We learned about young boredom that invented dance on tiktok and old loyalties and courage that raised £30000 for the NHS charities. We learned compassion and appreciation for those dedicating their lives and working practice and training to fight on our behalf and to just keep on going and kept calm.

But others took advantage and scammed the elderly and wore coughed and killed the faces of the innocent doing a job.  We heard their rage, rain down on others.

We willingly did our duty and observed isolation when in fear  the virus came to our shore.  Struggling with th reflex to run and find help from friends and family.  We zoomed if we could and we telephoned those who could not.

We appreciated our outdoor space and one special God given gift - the sun kept shining on us throughout and seemingly went on forever. We dug, we planted vegetables. We fed birds, we had moles, next door cats;ants;bee swarms; as guests in our garden.

Our family bonded closer together with the adult members coping with furloughed payments or job loss and home schooling.  Parents simply let go and seemingly coped with the chaos of family life. And on the dark side domestic abuse rose to alarming proportions.

We of the older years relaxed into prayerfulness inactivity knowing that the grim reaper was not far away.  Our job was to keep spirits up where we could, keep smiling, keep calm and carry on, showing and giving life examples to worried offspring.

Clapping on Thursdays and impromptu coffee mornings on our personal front drives helped us to talk to neighbours and passers by as never before.And now shall we remember this time in years to come when we eventually reach the new normal.  Shall we remember with humility and pride in being in a country that hangs and cleaves together in times of crisis; That forgives the small minority that cannot conform?  And shall we remember Care homes and their sacrifice?

Newsletter- join me on my journey on my Illustration course with Falmouth University

On June 1st I begin my course




Well beginning this MA is nerve wracking.  So before I started I did some reading

 Quote:
The picture has the power to: Communicate instantaneously. Communicate to a global audience, regardless of age, location, or era. Locate the viewer within the image. Represent literally the human experience of seeing. Visually delight, again and again. Be arranged sequentially to communicate narrative. Connect instantaneously with emotion, memory, and experience. Delight through shape, color, and form.
Hall, Andrew. Illustration, Laurence King Publishing, 2011

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And I also did some preparation:  I found that Domestika is a good prep if you choose the right course and they are inexpensive.  One tutor advised to get out all of your art materials and examine them.  I had loads:
Inks calligraphy ink; acrylic of course; water colour and w/c crayons; crayons;felt tips/chalk; etc.

I then sorted all my pens; brushes; and materials.

He then advised to combine two or three together; eg.  To use a crayon and go over with watercolour.  To make a splodge of water and drop in ink. Use two pens together. Then try to draw an animal with eyes closed.

I am indebted to Chris Dart at my CICCIC, www.ciccic.com  art courses for already practicing these methods but this time with more control and making detailed notes on what materials were used in an experimental sketch book. I have experimented a GREAT DEAL and new characters for books have emerged. I have not used pen and ink before and a weird looking creature came on the page that I have called Fiz and the story just flowed.

My favourite Domestika tutor advised :- Start a new sketchbook for each book and then use this as a portfolio to show to publishers at illustrator fairs. The other thing to do is to illustrate an established fairy tale.  I tried out ‘The Princess and the Pea,’  but I have also tried to do this before: I tried to illustrate ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ in acrylic with Chris Dart as tutor.  It is one painting that I have sold which I wish I had hung onto.

I also found a publication called the ‘Association of Illustrators’ which I have not bought yet but intend to follow up.

Of course illustration is not just about illustrating books it is also about graphic art in posters and greeting cards and stationery. This worries me a bit.  I think I could give greeting cards a go and the course also covers videos which I have also dabbled with. But there is lots of reading and essays to do too.  Basically it is about finding my voice and networking with colleagues, that is greatly encouraged, so I will try not to say too much to start with.

 www.zoeainsworthgriggbooks.com


WISH ME LUCK -ZOE

Carona Virus Diary Week 7 May 6th

Week 7 of the virus has not been great.

My son in Liverpool has covid symptoms and has decided to e tested.  I have twisted my hip and I usually go to my chiropractor or have an injection of steroids in my hip but neither is available until after lockdown.  so I am limping for the rest of the duration.

I have achieved things and up until now I have enjoyed the lockdown it has given me the opportunity to get stuck into projects and I have written, published and illustrated two children's books.

Up until now I have thought that I will not go back to the lifestyle that I have had before: I am weller just pottering about he house and not doing a lot of energetic things.  I have just bought things that I need and realise I dont need a lot of the things that I buy or do.

I would like a quieter way of life but I think John would find that difficult.  He hankers for going for train rides, his cricket and going out for meals. He has to his credit embraced looking after the garden and has taken pleasure in it.  With me it is all art, art, art.

I have finished knitting the frightful frog toy for Rachel's baby when she comes.  It is so cute I should like to knit one for myself.  I used the baby soft wool in baby wool and it is very cuddly and a soft pink.  I have given it a nice little smile and it looks very welcoming and happy.  It has a big pink ribbon bow around the neck.  I am quite proud of it as I am not a natural knitter.

Today we are celebrating VE day with a party in the Close.  I have scones and jam prepared and we will take chairs, table and a cream tea onto the front drive and the neighbors are organising the music.  I have found some red, white and blue ribbon and I will decorate the front garden tree.


Behind all o this is my worry of my son and his test result.  of all the members of the family he has been most abstemious about social distancing, but the North West has been hit as hard as London.  It just shows that absolutely anyone can get it. Their two year old son is coughing too, such a worry.

Signing off.  I hope everyone is well and keeping safe please get in touch.