A celebration in drawing of things we do
to feel good in hard times
On 29th March 2020, after several weeks of the news cycle being overtaken by the sudden and awful horrors of the global Coronavirus pandemic, I was trying to figure out what positive contribution I could make during the crisis.
I posted this to my Facebook account:
I posted this to my Facebook account:
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Sitting here drawing and trying to think of creative ways to make people feel good...
I always think that one of the ways we can help each other to feel good is to listen. Being heard is powerful. Being seen in a way of our own choosing is powerful. Having our selves reflected back to us in a positive way is vital. So. Here is an offer.
Why? Well I am wondering if sharing our playful, gentle, contemplative or whatever activities, we can feel seen and remember that we are all connected - through our loves and quirks and sadness - and we can share strategies for staying well through these hard times. What do you think? |
These drawings are some of the results so far. Each image contains some of the "truths" in the original photograph people sent, but I have also included or changed some element to better reflect the person on a deeper level. Some of these people I have known for most of my life. Some I hardly know at all. I asked everyone to give me some words to go with the photograph to help me in this process.
My hope was simple, in that each image would make the person feel seen. By me primarily, but then others also. And that in being seen they would feel stronger in themselves in the world, and therefore more able to deal with the challenges we face.
I have been unexpectedly moved by this project. Loneliness, isolation, disconnection, overwork - the nature of someones work meaning they can't spend time with their loved ones; high risk of contracting coronavirus enforcing significant restrictions on accessing the outside world; exhaustion from caring for others physical, spiritual and mental health; being forced to work from home.
This process of making drawings to help people to feel "seen" turned out to be a very intimate experience.
My hope was simple, in that each image would make the person feel seen. By me primarily, but then others also. And that in being seen they would feel stronger in themselves in the world, and therefore more able to deal with the challenges we face.
I have been unexpectedly moved by this project. Loneliness, isolation, disconnection, overwork - the nature of someones work meaning they can't spend time with their loved ones; high risk of contracting coronavirus enforcing significant restrictions on accessing the outside world; exhaustion from caring for others physical, spiritual and mental health; being forced to work from home.
This process of making drawings to help people to feel "seen" turned out to be a very intimate experience.