A lookback at Lockdown & a Nod to the New Normal!

Wow – what a bizarre and stressful time has gone by since my last blog. I don’t know about you but it feels like it has zipped by in some ways yet it’s been a total trudge in others.

I’m so grateful my close family, friends and myself haven’t suffered with Covid-19 directly – my poor little mama was in hospital for a few days but luckily it wasn’t Covid. I know other folk who have had Covid and are still suffering lasting effects of the horrible though 🙁

Mentally I think most folk I have spoken with have struggled in some way, lets face it – when your day to day world changes so drastically and there is a worldwide pandemic it’s bound to have an effect.
I’m writing this completely from my perspective and from my experiences – I understand it’s been different for everyone.

So what changed for me? I became full time ‘Miss Cairns’ homeschooling teacher to my cute 7 year old twin step-son and step daughter, my 12 year old daughter and my 17 year old son. The older two pretty much managed their own work load – the hardest part of my job was getting them out of bed in the morning/lunchtime! The twins thrive on routine so that’s how we did things – Monday to Friday everyday started with PE with Joe Wicks, we had break times at kind of the same time every day and had a daily lesson plan sent through from the school which I adapted. I chose the subjects which the twins were keen to do, which I was able to explore and teach and the ones we could be as creative with! Every subject we did I tried to make it fun and creative and I think we nailed it!
It was so good for us to know what to expect each day and have the feeling of achievement at the end of the day.
Our 12 year old had a huge workload which she ploughed through, taking more time than they would have done at school and therefore getting bogged down with a backlog of work – but she did it. I’m so proud of what she achieved – self motivation and trying her hardest in the oddest of circumstances.

Other ways Covid-19 Lockdown has affected me…

Just before lockdown I had successfully applied for a really interesting Part Time post with OnFife Cultural Trust working as a Cultural Regional Assistant with Museums and Galleries across Fife, a newly created post to assist the team. It was an ideal role for me. I hadn’t been given a start date or the official contract though… a couple of months in to lockdown I got a really disappointing phone call to tell me the post had regrettably been dissolved – due to current circumstances and the expected changes for museum and galleries in the foreseeable future the post would no longer be required.

Gutted.

My quest for a part time (ideally creative) job continues…

Painting in my makeshift studio

With the full on commitment of the home schooling I had to try to find time to do my painting and maintain other parts of my self employment in the late afternoons and weekends.

I had managed to fill my car with a load of necessities from my studio the day before lockdown – Phew!
I already had a private commission of two lovely young lads in place to be completed for the end of May. I had been to meet them and taken loads of photographs to work from and sketched them both a couple of weeks earlier luckily so I had everything I needed to get on with the painting. It was a total creative saviour for me, I loved painting it – the boys were really into the poses I suggested for the photographs and I created a composition I was really pleased with. Having something I knew I had to work on to a deadline and having a little sunny space at home in the porch to work in was brilliant (although it was a bit of an oven at times in the hot weather we had in April/May).
I would normally have a sitting with the people I am painting toward the end of a portrait commission but that wasn’t possible, thankfully the photos I had taken specifically to paint from had pretty much all the information I needed – I just had to ask the boys mum to take a photo of the colour of one of the boys eyes as it wasn’t showing up too well on some of my photos.

I’ve also been working away on a body of paintings and drawings for my solo exhibition due to take place in December 2020 at Fire Station Creative Gallery in Dunfermline. Invites will be sent out nearer the time 🙂

Workshops

I also started another venture during lockdown – Online digtal workshops! I signed up for a brilliant course ‘Teach Your Creative Skills Online’ run by The Design Trust

I have gained practical skills, knowledge and confidence in presenting art workshops digitally – I’m offering one-to-one workshops at the moment in drawing and painting, setting up Live Group online workshops over the coming months for Oil Painting and Tonal Drawing and soon I’m going to create prerecorded workshops which participants can access anytime they like on a range of subjects.
Let me know if you’re interested in digital workshops and I’ll forward more info.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Sketch in The Glen for Adults
Tuesday 4 Aug
1.30 – 3.30pm
Pittencrieff Park (Meet at Pittencrieff Street Car Park)
£15
A lovely 2 hour workshop using sketching techniques to capture the beauty of Pittencrieff Park (The Glen) in the center of Dunfermline. Learn new sketching techniques and build on your existing skills.
Just bring a sketchbook and a pencil – Other materials will be provided.
To book your place or for more info email:
info@kellyannecairns.com

Sketch in The Glen for Children
Monday 3 And / Or Wednesday 5 Aug
1.30 – 3.30pm
Pittencrieff Park (Meet at Pittencrieff Street Car Park)
£15 per child
A fun 2 hour workshop to draw what we discover in the wonderful Pittencrieff Park (The Glen) in the center of Dunfermline.
We’ll be drawing leaves, trees, squirrels, peacocks and more!
All materials provided.
P4 and upwards can be left with Kelly, Younger participants will need to work with a parents/carers.
To book your place or for more info email:
info@kellyannecairns.com

Little Artists Workshops
My awesome Little Artists afterschool workshops are back! Yay!
I’m using the large classroom space at Fire Station Creative so there’s plenty of space for our creative endeavors 🙂
A couple of places are still available. Choose from Mondays or Thursdays
3.30 – 4.30pm
£70 for 7 week block
Mondays start 17 August
Tuesdays start 13 August
To book your place or for more info email:
info@kellyannecairns.com

Giclée Prints and Original Oil Paintings Available

I’ve added some beautiful new giclée prints in to my collection available to buy through my Etsy shop – making art affordable to all – take a look!

There’s also a selection of original oil paintings and pen and ink drawings available there too.
Go To My Etsy Shop Here

Commissions
I’m available to take private commissions, if you see one of my paintings you like and could imagine the person in the painting being one of your loved ones or yourself and want to discuss options send me an email. I can offer fees to be paid in installments so you can afford an original oil painting you will be able to enjoy for life.
Email info@kellyannecairns.com

THANKS FOR JOINING MY BLOG – KEEP IN TOUCH – STAY SAFE!

Kelly x