I think we can all agree it’s been a crazy year, I’ve tried to see it as the perfect time to focus on nature and down to earth activities, exercising my creativity through photography, painting, drawing, textiles and ceramics. I don’t know if it was just me, but just doing crafts like this seemed unachievable – I was so down and tired, I had to force myself to get creative. To do this, I’d gathered my energy and set up a space on my coffee table, staring at my tools I’d realise I need inspiration, I had ongoing heavy artist block. My motivation would normally come after visiting photo albums or Pinterest. Getting started was the hard part, once I had something in mind I’d be entranced all day. I think it’s really helped my wellbeing and creative state during the pandemic, it’s very soothing and great to show something for this mad time of our lives.
Lockdown Candel Holder
I made this when I didn’t know what to do with myself; I thought it would be fitting to capture that feeling in a functional sculpture.
I made this with air drying clay, it was quite challenging but also very fun to sculpt. I made each limb individally and crosshatched the joining side with a knife, added slip (clay and water) to attach. Once I had my shape I allowed to dry and smoothed with a nail file.
Painting – A Plant Series
I painted the plants on the window sill, focusing on one in particular – exploring different colours, style and mood.
Alongside painting the plant series, I managed to convince my boyfriend, Dominic to do some with me. We followed a desert painting tutorial – this was super fun, I’m so impressed with Dom’s painting, I kept glancing at his and ruining my own from overworking it, I think we can teach each other some tips!
Needle Point – Felt sculpture
I found these crafty kits in Aldi just before lockdown – I think these were my fave, so satisfying to make. Great for a lockdown craft since they’re time consuming and engaging.
The kits provided everything I needed though I bought my own set of felt needles. I found this technique theraputic; the process of stabbing the needle into felt to structurize shape is great for de-stressing, however I found it a little mentally challenging having to poke the panda repeatedly in the eye.
Lockdown Photography
I decided to produce a series of photography, focused on what lockdown looked like. Mostly cats, coffee, walks, nature.
This time really forced us to acknowledge what is important to us, what brings us happiness when we are isolated. I found the subject matters are quite mundane but almost significant in capturing some beauty in this extraordinary time.
FAYE TIKIC 