Sunday 22 March 2020

A New Normal

I don't think I'm going to write at length about the current situation sweeping our country and the world. We are all in the same boat, with the same problems to face and everyone going on about it doesn't help anxiety levels. It's going to be tough but I believe we will get through it and hopefully come out of it a kinder and more caring society. Of course it will also bring out the worst in some people but let's hope they are the minority. I'm not used to having so much time on my hands though. I'm not working from home because all my work has been cancelled for the foreseeable future - no talks, no classes. I've starting investigating how to produce teaching material online but it's all new to me so it's a steep learning curve... but at least I have plenty of time to learn.


Yesterday we cleaned the house, I did two loads of laundry (which dried outside... yah!), washed the windows outside, which were very dirty after recent storms and then decided to clean and sort out our larder cupboard. We don't have a lot of space for storage so I probably have potential to rummage up four or five unplanned meals at the most, Ready Steady Cook style! Most of the contents are spices, vinegars and jams... so many pots of jam! No hoarding going on here (apart from the jam of course, although it is mostly homemade), but at least I can see what we've got. 

All that was done and it was still only lunchtime so in the afternoon we decided to take advantage of the fine weather and go for a long walk around the villages. It was quite cold and blustery, but lovely to be outside. There were more people than usual out walking but still not that many and all at a distance!


There were lots of signs of spring arriving which was a cheering sight. Mother Nature carries on regardless.



It was Hector's fourth birthday so an extra long walk was a treat for him too!


I've also managed to set up my new website in the past few weeks, which I'm really pleased about. It's very simple but I do quite like it. You can find me here if you want to take a look


Plans to sell my art are now on hold however!



This is my most recent painting... I found a tiny rough sketch in one of my sketchbooks and based it on that. I like it enough for the moment but it may get changed or painted over. I've only a limited number of canvases to keep me going over the next few months!


So that's what I've been up to this week... staying at home, pottering in the garden, making lots more phone calls than usual and sending more messages. It's going to be our new normal!

14 comments:

  1. Fresh air at a distance is definitely good.
    Happy birthday Hector!

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  2. What a lovely positive post Gina. Thank you so much. I love your painting - it is a really strong image. Well done.

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  3. Your larder looks very much like mine. Oodles of jam here too. Enjoying the outdoors on solitary walks is the way to go. Your countryside is looking very springlike. Can’t believe Hector is four already:) B x

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  4. Gorgeous painting. Reminds me of Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower. Is it mixed media? Could you blog a bit about your process to paint it?

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  5. Walks in the countryside are so uplifting especially at this time, aren't they! Happy birthday to Hector too :)

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  6. Oh, Hector, how did you get to be four so quickly? Like you, I've been doing some kitchen cupboard cleaning and sorting. Not like me at all! Love that picture. Please give a heads up if you decide to sell it.

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  7. All looks very organised :)

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  8. That could almost have been from our beach walk today (except our sand is very white from quartz, not glowing gold)

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  9. The new normal for everyone...stay safe xx

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  10. Plenty of jam in our larder, too. The wee house with the tunnel looks wonky but really interesting. I wonder if the floors are even? Happy Birthday to Hector, he looks like a fine young Labrador. I'll explore your website in my next break. Have a good week xx

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  11. Goodness, how did Hector become 4! Seems only the other day you got him.

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  12. Your post echoes my own feelings - if we do as we are advised we will get through this. It is strange though.
    I am not usually drawn to modern paintings but I love this one just as it is. It looks so clear and crisp - the light, the colours, the shapes are all wonderful.
    It is strange not being in the company of family and friends but the sooner we 'do as we are told' the sooner normality will return. Maybe we will have found a new 'normality'. Stay safe.x

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  13. Lovely post Gina. I am also going to have to learn to teach online (soft furnishings so that could be interesting!) Just had a pilates class via Skype which although a bit surreal worked well. We all need to adapt to new ways of working. Good luck, stay safe and keep communicating - it's much appreciated x

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  14. I love your larder cupboard, it is wonderful and beautiful too. It is great to have spaces like this organised isn't it. I am glad to hear that you are slowly finding your new normal, it is important to do that rather than being annoyed at what could have been.

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