Where did you spend lockdown and who with?
I spent lockdown in my 500-year old cottage in Sussex, which I am in the process of renovating. Since my children and youngest daughter’s boyfriend were in the main house, I ended up in the garden shed with my husband. It was extreme, especially in the snow and hail conditions in March!
What was the unexpected blessing?
The main blessing was spending time with my husband in the UK as he is usually based in Hong Kong. We created a vegetable garden which had been a wish of many years.
I was also overwhelmed by the response to a competition I launched online to encourage as many people as possible to paint during lockdown. Love, enthusiasm and creativity poured in from all corners of the world and gave me enormous hope for the future.
What did you work on?
I worked on a new collection of paintings called ‘Sanctuary’. I strive to generate a strong emotional relationship between the viewer and the painting. I wanted to make work which was all about beauty, magical vistas and safe places. I believe painting has the power to make people smile and even cry.
What resolutions did you make in lockdown?
Having freedoms taken away makes you incredibly gratefully for the simple things, such as hugging your friends. My resolutions are to appreciate simple moments in life.
Are you optimistic or fearful for the future?
I am optimistic! I hope very much that people will make changes in their lives and learn to be still sometimes. We all need to breathe and to take the time to act with more thoughtfulness.
For a Preview of Sanctuary, please contact us.
