web02.fireside.fm Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:09:59 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell - Episodes Tagged with “Quarantine” https://messystudio.fireside.fm/tags/quarantine Fri, 15 May 2020 01:00:00 -0500 Artist Rebecca Crowell shares experiences and thoughts from three decades of painting, teaching and traveling, as well as her conversations with other artists. She is joined by her co-host, producer, and son, Ross Ticknor, who brings an entrepreneurial Millennial perspective. The conversations are broad and eclectic, focused on ideas, information and anecdotes that other artists may find helpful in their work and careers. A new episode is uploaded every weekend! en-us episodic The podcast at the intersection of art, travel, business, philosophy, and life in general. Rebecca Crowell Artist Rebecca Crowell shares experiences and thoughts from three decades of painting, teaching and traveling, as well as her conversations with other artists. She is joined by her co-host, producer, and son, Ross Ticknor, who brings an entrepreneurial Millennial perspective. The conversations are broad and eclectic, focused on ideas, information and anecdotes that other artists may find helpful in their work and careers. A new episode is uploaded every weekend! no Rebecca Crowell rticknor.core@gmail.com Episode 125: Art As Therapy https://messystudio.fireside.fm/125 9a25b1c7-8cb1-4d20-a36d-c0a3f0d47550 Fri, 15 May 2020 01:00:00 -0500 Rebecca Crowell 125 Art As Therapy full Rebecca Crowell As we record this episode, a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is so much we don’t know—what the situation means in our own lives and in the world at large, how long it will last and what we will endure before it is over. How can our art practices help us through this difficult and anxious time? Today our podcast includes thoughts from two art therapists, Mimma Della Cagnoletta and Barbara Bagan, who generously shared their ideas about this topic via email. 29:10 no As we record this episode, a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much we don’t know—what the situation means in our own lives and in the world at large, how long it will last and what we will endure before it is over. How can our art practices help us through this difficult and anxious time? Today our podcast includes thoughts from two art therapists, Mimma Della Cagnoletta and Barbara Bagan, who generously shared their ideas about this topic via email. Artists are often said to be highly sensitive people. Being vulnerable, introspective, thoughtful about what we experience are all personality traits that help bring meaning and emotion to our work. But those same qualities can also cause us to be more unsettled than others around us. Are there also experiences we have as artists that can be helpful to us now? Artists are no strangers to uncertainty. We face it in the creative process every time we’re in the studio. This uncertainty is not comparable to the terrifying influence of the pandemic, of course. But we’ve been training our thoughts and emotions, often for years, to deal with the unknown. In fact, a characteristic of creative mindset is ability to deal with ambiguities and situations that are not clear-cut. Many of us are wired to adapt, and to bring our responses to difficult times into our work. As difficult as it may be, studies show that there are long-term benefits to facing and working through our emotions during trauma. These benefits include enhanced creativity and other kinds of personal growth. As Mimma Della Cagnoletta put it, “we know that making art is resilience in itself and affirms human capacity to deal with ‘the brutality of life.’” To quote Barbara Bagan, "Art plays a variety of therapeutic roles. Throughout history when going through intense experiences, especially where there are anxieties around mortality and what life really means, people turn to art. They turn to making art and beholding art. Accepting this current situation, even though we do not like it and rejuvenating ourselves in whatever ways we are comfortable with and creating again are what artists do." Article referenced in the podcast: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/post-traumatic-growth-finding-meaning-and-creativity-in-adversity/ For more from The Messy Studio: www.MessyStudioPodcast.com www.facebook.com/MessyStudioPodcast For more from Rebecca Crowell: www.RebeccaCrowell.com www.SqueegeePress.com Rebecca Crowell, Art, Quarantine, Therapy As we record this episode, a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much we don’t know—what the situation means in our own lives and in the world at large, how long it will last and what we will endure before it is over. How can our art practices help us through this difficult and anxious time? Today our podcast includes thoughts from two art therapists, Mimma Della Cagnoletta and Barbara Bagan, who generously shared their ideas about this topic via email.

Artists are often said to be highly sensitive people. Being vulnerable, introspective, thoughtful about what we experience are all personality traits that help bring meaning and emotion to our work. But those same qualities can also cause us to be more unsettled than others around us. Are there also experiences we have as artists that can be helpful to us now?

Artists are no strangers to uncertainty. We face it in the creative process every time we’re in the studio. This uncertainty is not comparable to the terrifying influence of the pandemic, of course. But we’ve been training our thoughts and emotions, often for years, to deal with the unknown. In fact, a characteristic of creative mindset is ability to deal with ambiguities and situations that are not clear-cut. Many of us are wired to adapt, and to bring our responses to difficult times into our work.

As difficult as it may be, studies show that there are long-term benefits to facing and working through our emotions during trauma. These benefits include enhanced creativity and other kinds of personal growth. As Mimma Della Cagnoletta put it, “we know that making art is resilience in itself and affirms human capacity to deal with ‘the brutality of life.’”

To quote Barbara Bagan, "Art plays a variety of therapeutic roles. Throughout history when going through intense experiences, especially where there are anxieties around mortality and what life really means, people turn to art. They turn to making art and beholding art. Accepting this current situation, even though we do not like it and rejuvenating ourselves in whatever ways we are comfortable with and creating again are what artists do."

Article referenced in the podcast:
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/post-traumatic-growth-finding-meaning-and-creativity-in-adversity/

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.MessyStudioPodcast.com
www.facebook.com/MessyStudioPodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.RebeccaCrowell.com
www.SqueegeePress.com

]]> As we record this episode, a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much we don’t know—what the situation means in our own lives and in the world at large, how long it will last and what we will endure before it is over. How can our art practices help us through this difficult and anxious time? Today our podcast includes thoughts from two art therapists, Mimma Della Cagnoletta and Barbara Bagan, who generously shared their ideas about this topic via email.

Artists are often said to be highly sensitive people. Being vulnerable, introspective, thoughtful about what we experience are all personality traits that help bring meaning and emotion to our work. But those same qualities can also cause us to be more unsettled than others around us. Are there also experiences we have as artists that can be helpful to us now?

Artists are no strangers to uncertainty. We face it in the creative process every time we’re in the studio. This uncertainty is not comparable to the terrifying influence of the pandemic, of course. But we’ve been training our thoughts and emotions, often for years, to deal with the unknown. In fact, a characteristic of creative mindset is ability to deal with ambiguities and situations that are not clear-cut. Many of us are wired to adapt, and to bring our responses to difficult times into our work.

As difficult as it may be, studies show that there are long-term benefits to facing and working through our emotions during trauma. These benefits include enhanced creativity and other kinds of personal growth. As Mimma Della Cagnoletta put it, “we know that making art is resilience in itself and affirms human capacity to deal with ‘the brutality of life.’”

To quote Barbara Bagan, "Art plays a variety of therapeutic roles. Throughout history when going through intense experiences, especially where there are anxieties around mortality and what life really means, people turn to art. They turn to making art and beholding art. Accepting this current situation, even though we do not like it and rejuvenating ourselves in whatever ways we are comfortable with and creating again are what artists do."

Article referenced in the podcast:
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/post-traumatic-growth-finding-meaning-and-creativity-in-adversity/

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.MessyStudioPodcast.com
www.facebook.com/MessyStudioPodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.RebeccaCrowell.com
www.SqueegeePress.com

]]> Episode 123: A Call For Change https://messystudio.fireside.fm/123 81bd8f47-1c4d-44fc-a27c-417631542695 Sat, 02 May 2020 12:30:00 -0500 Rebecca Crowell 123 A Call For Change full Rebecca Crowell Many artists are feeling stuck right now--not only in their homes in the midst of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders but stuck in their work as well. We not only contend with our own worries and struggles but the constant drumbeat of bad news from the media. Our usual ways of working may no longer seem suited to what our lives have become. Historically, art reflects the times in which it is made. Today, we are considering this aspect of creativity in light of what we are all experiencing. The way in which we handle the current situation creatively can also be applied to other traumas that we experience in life. 35:02 no Many artists are feeling stuck right now--not only in their homes in the midst of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders but stuck in their work as well. We not only contend with our own worries and struggles but the constant drumbeat of bad news from the media. Our usual ways of working may no longer seem suited to what our lives have become. Historically, art reflects the times in which it is made. Today, we are considering this aspect of creativity in light of what we are all experiencing. The way in which we handle the current situation creatively can also be applied to other traumas that we experience in life. Artists usually consider personal voice to be a concentration of focus that carries us along. It helps others understand what it is that we are communicating. A consistent process, point of view, or approach is achieved through a mastery of technique and a deep, ongoing interest in particular ideas. Traumatic events can disrupt this flow, and change our focus. Now may be the time to loosen our concept of what constitutes our crative voice, and allow for different aspects of ourselves to come forth. Artists may wish to resist this natural change. There is so much disruption in life without having to completely change artistic direction. This change may also feel like a threat to the personal voice that has been developed through years of work and refinement. Or, in a positive light, our ongoing work may be something that can encompass the new reality, perhaps offering viewers something uplifting or comforting. This may, however, be the perfect time to explore something new as part of our ongoing journey. Art is a calling, and acknowledgeing that helps connect us with our roots, when we first started making art. For many us it is also a therapy, and during difficult times having a creative outlet may be more necessary than ever. This creative outlet does not need to be related to your current art practice, and can be purely an escape. The art you create at this time may never be shown to anyone else, but it may reveal new insights. Article referenced in this episode: https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/for-the-love-of-art-alain-de-botton-on-art-as-therapy?fbclid=IwAR3BCqbEobPi7JXmEP_Ym0xYCA1QCVZnAp7xrd2KmyXzZy8kQeqL4QTJdUs For more fromt The Messy Studio: www.messystudiopodcast.com www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast For more from Rebecca Crowell: www.rebeccacrowell.com www.squeegeepress.com Rebecca Crowell, Art, Creativity, Quarantine, Change, Many artists are feeling stuck right now--not only in their homes in the midst of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders but stuck in their work as well. We not only contend with our own worries and struggles but the constant drumbeat of bad news from the media. Our usual ways of working may no longer seem suited to what our lives have become.
Historically, art reflects the times in which it is made. Today, we are considering this aspect of creativity in light of what we are all experiencing. The way in which we handle the current situation creatively can also be applied to other traumas that we experience in life.

Artists usually consider personal voice to be a concentration of focus that carries us along. It helps others understand what it is that we are communicating. A consistent process, point of view, or approach is achieved through a mastery of technique and a deep, ongoing interest in particular ideas. Traumatic events can disrupt this flow, and change our focus. Now may be the time to loosen our concept of what constitutes our crative voice, and allow for different aspects of ourselves to come forth.

Artists may wish to resist this natural change. There is so much disruption in life without having to completely change artistic direction. This change may also feel like a threat to the personal voice that has been developed through years of work and refinement. Or, in a positive light, our ongoing work may be something that can encompass the new reality, perhaps offering viewers something uplifting or comforting.

This may, however, be the perfect time to explore something new as part of our ongoing journey. Art is a calling, and acknowledgeing that helps connect us with our roots, when we first started making art. For many us it is also a therapy, and during difficult times having a creative outlet may be more necessary than ever. This creative outlet does not need to be related to your current art practice, and can be purely an escape. The art you create at this time may never be shown to anyone else, but it may reveal new insights.

Article referenced in this episode:
https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/for-the-love-of-art-alain-de-botton-on-art-as-therapy?fbclid=IwAR3BCqbEobPi7JXmEP_Ym0xYCA1QCVZnAp7xrd2KmyXzZy8kQeqL4QTJdUs

For more fromt The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

]]> Many artists are feeling stuck right now--not only in their homes in the midst of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders but stuck in their work as well. We not only contend with our own worries and struggles but the constant drumbeat of bad news from the media. Our usual ways of working may no longer seem suited to what our lives have become.
Historically, art reflects the times in which it is made. Today, we are considering this aspect of creativity in light of what we are all experiencing. The way in which we handle the current situation creatively can also be applied to other traumas that we experience in life.

Artists usually consider personal voice to be a concentration of focus that carries us along. It helps others understand what it is that we are communicating. A consistent process, point of view, or approach is achieved through a mastery of technique and a deep, ongoing interest in particular ideas. Traumatic events can disrupt this flow, and change our focus. Now may be the time to loosen our concept of what constitutes our crative voice, and allow for different aspects of ourselves to come forth.

Artists may wish to resist this natural change. There is so much disruption in life without having to completely change artistic direction. This change may also feel like a threat to the personal voice that has been developed through years of work and refinement. Or, in a positive light, our ongoing work may be something that can encompass the new reality, perhaps offering viewers something uplifting or comforting.

This may, however, be the perfect time to explore something new as part of our ongoing journey. Art is a calling, and acknowledgeing that helps connect us with our roots, when we first started making art. For many us it is also a therapy, and during difficult times having a creative outlet may be more necessary than ever. This creative outlet does not need to be related to your current art practice, and can be purely an escape. The art you create at this time may never be shown to anyone else, but it may reveal new insights.

Article referenced in this episode:
https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/for-the-love-of-art-alain-de-botton-on-art-as-therapy?fbclid=IwAR3BCqbEobPi7JXmEP_Ym0xYCA1QCVZnAp7xrd2KmyXzZy8kQeqL4QTJdUs

For more fromt The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

]]> Episode 121: Working with Place...While Sheltering in Place https://messystudio.fireside.fm/121 aba97bfa-ffcb-4afb-8650-2fb6b3ceb19e Sat, 18 Apr 2020 02:00:00 -0500 Rebecca Crowell 121 Working with Place...While Sheltering in Place full Rebecca Crowell Many artists working in both realism and abstraction explore ideas or emotions through the lens of unique or moving aspects of a particular place. This place may be as close as the artist’s own backyard, but it is often more distant. At this time we are encountering many challenges in our daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including being unable to visit the places that motivate our creative practices. In this episode, we talk about how to continue accessing special places through memory and other references. 35:22 no Many artists working in both realism and abstraction explore ideas or emotions through the lens of unique or moving aspects of a particular place. This place may be as close as the artist’s own backyard, but it is often more distant. At this time we are encountering many challenges in our daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including being unable to visit the places that motivate our creative processes. Nationwide “stay at home” orders are restricting our movement, but even in normal times we may still be unable to visit these places at will. Many of us have had travel opportunities, including artist residencies, that focus our attention and introduce new ideas while we are away, but the experience may seem inaccessible once we return home. How can we keep our connection to these places and allow our time there to keep influencing our work? Memory is a great distiller of experience; working from memory can encompass visual imagery as well as emotions. Photos of special places may also be useful, but working in a literal way from photographs can be restrictive, leaving out emotions and subjective interpretations. But used as a point of departure, photos can trigger ideas. The same can be said for sketches, notes and objects we bring home. Sending time researching interesting aspects of where we have been can also being conceptual depth to our work with place. As we continue to work while sequestered in our homes, remember that this too will pass. While we do need to reconnect physically from time to time with places that are important to us, there are many ways to nurture that connection and continue to work with what we love about these places from a distance. Stay safe, everyone. For more from The Messy Studio: www.messystudiopocast.com www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast For more from Rebecca Crowell: www.rebeccacrowell.com www.squeegeepress.com Rebecca Crowell, Art, Abstraction, Places, Quarantine Many artists working in both realism and abstraction explore ideas or emotions through the lens of unique or moving aspects of a particular place. This place may be as close as the artist’s own backyard, but it is often more distant.

At this time we are encountering many challenges in our daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including being unable to visit the places that motivate our creative processes. Nationwide “stay at home” orders are restricting our movement, but even in normal times we may still be unable to visit these places at will. Many of us have had travel opportunities, including artist residencies, that focus our attention and introduce new ideas while we are away, but the experience may seem inaccessible once we return home. How can we keep our connection to these places and allow our time there to keep influencing our work?

Memory is a great distiller of experience; working from memory can encompass visual imagery as well as emotions. Photos of special places may also be useful, but working in a literal way from photographs can be restrictive, leaving out emotions and subjective interpretations. But used as a point of departure, photos can trigger ideas. The same can be said for sketches, notes and objects we bring home. Sending time researching interesting aspects of where we have been can also being conceptual depth to our work with place.

As we continue to work while sequestered in our homes, remember that this too will pass. While we do need to reconnect physically from time to time with places that are important to us, there are many ways to nurture that connection and continue to work with what we love about these places from a distance.
Stay safe, everyone.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopocast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

]]> Many artists working in both realism and abstraction explore ideas or emotions through the lens of unique or moving aspects of a particular place. This place may be as close as the artist’s own backyard, but it is often more distant.

At this time we are encountering many challenges in our daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including being unable to visit the places that motivate our creative processes. Nationwide “stay at home” orders are restricting our movement, but even in normal times we may still be unable to visit these places at will. Many of us have had travel opportunities, including artist residencies, that focus our attention and introduce new ideas while we are away, but the experience may seem inaccessible once we return home. How can we keep our connection to these places and allow our time there to keep influencing our work?

Memory is a great distiller of experience; working from memory can encompass visual imagery as well as emotions. Photos of special places may also be useful, but working in a literal way from photographs can be restrictive, leaving out emotions and subjective interpretations. But used as a point of departure, photos can trigger ideas. The same can be said for sketches, notes and objects we bring home. Sending time researching interesting aspects of where we have been can also being conceptual depth to our work with place.

As we continue to work while sequestered in our homes, remember that this too will pass. While we do need to reconnect physically from time to time with places that are important to us, there are many ways to nurture that connection and continue to work with what we love about these places from a distance.
Stay safe, everyone.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopocast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

]]> Episode 117: COVID-19 Outbreak: Coping With Isolation https://messystudio.fireside.fm/117 381d2b7f-7310-4edb-bcbb-8f8feea8c916 Sat, 21 Mar 2020 15:00:00 -0500 Rebecca Crowell 117 COVID-19 Outbreak: Coping With Isolation full Rebecca Crowell When the news media first mentioned the coronavirus spreading through China, few of us in the rest of the world realized the huge impact it would have. A few months later we face quarantines and severe economic consequences, and many of us are facing isolation, boredom, and anxiety, as well as financial stress. In this episode we address how the current measures implemented to contain COVID-19 have affected our lives as artists, as well as ideas for coping in this time of uncertainty and change. 53:35 no When the news media first mentioned the coronavirus spreading through China, few of us in the rest of the world realized the huge impact it would have. A few months later we face quarantines and severe economic consequences and many of us are facing isolation, boredom, and anxiety, as well as financial stress. In this episode we address how the current measures implemented to contain COVID-19 have affected our lives as artists, as well as ideas for coping in this time of uncertainty and change. Currently Rebecca is in quarantine in New Mexico, fortunately without symptoms. She did have to cut her time in Ireland short and return to the United States before the suspension of international travel. This meant canceling a workshop, an important source of income, and spending the next two weeks confined to her home. Like many other artists, she has also canceled other upcoming workshops and travel. The pandemic now affects every aspect of our lives as artists, from the postponed or canceled events and galleries on the economic brink, to the need to shelter in place, possibly apart from our studios, and the loss of personal contact with other artists. It can be hard to focus on our work when we are feeling anxious and distracted by the constant flow of bad news, and worries about ourselves and our loved ones. There is much about the current situation that is unknown and beyond our control. But concentrating on what we can control, including our attitudes is the key to staying mentally healthy. Even though many things now seem hopeless and frightening, there are also positive aspects to the situation on which to focus. Acting in generous ways, thinking of how to help others, and realizing we're all in this together can all help with remaining on track. For many of us, a spiritual component is critical to maintaining the right attitude to survive and thrive in the midst of a catastrophe. Technology is a help in many aspects of what we're now dealing with, and spirituality is no exception. Whatever your spiritual philosophy, there is an app that will send you daily devotionals, meditations, or affirmations. Spend some time every morning reading these rather than the latest COVID-19 news. This will set the tone for the rest of the day. The news is important, but it can wait a few minutes. As artists we are very fortunate to have the commitment to our work to help us in this time of isolation. Some of us are lucky enough to have ongoing access to our studios, but if not it may help to remember times when you created in less than ideal circumstances, as most of us did starting out. We can value the chance to catch up on projects, do some online learning, or delve into some idea that has been on the back burner. For many of us, our time in the studio is now our own, without the need to prepare for upcoming exhibits or meet other outside demands., and there is a certain freedom to that. We may also be able to catch up on projects that have fallen by the wayside. because we don’t find them very fulfilling, like bookkeeping or cleaning; clearing out a backlog of such chores is a good feeling. Besides more time in the studio, many of us also have more time with our families. Try to establish a routine to help you make the most of this time, including as much time as possible to your art. Adjusting to working in your studio while caring for school aged children who are now at home will be difficult, but there are many educational resources online to help. Your kids may also enjoy making some art with you, and learning about what you do. Financial difficulty will hit many of us and create a great deal of anxiety. One suggestion is to develop a new income stream related to your art practice now, such as an online course, a mentoring program, or instructional video series. An art course aimed at children might be especially appropriate at this time. Think about what your specialized niche might be and have confidence that most artists have an insatiable thirst for learning and improving. While it will take weeks or longer to develop something worth charging for, starting now is a smart move. Even the isolation imposed by COVID-19 ends soon, we'll be feeling the economic strain for some time. We are all currently faced with enormous changes and challenges, and it's all happening fast. Some people will sit at home, hypnotized by the television, waiting for this all to be over. But others will use this time to improve their work, improvise with what they do have, and address neglected aspects of their lives. To quote the late Toni Morrison: "This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self pity, no need for silence, and no room for fear. We do language. (or in this case, art…) That is how civilizations heal." Here are some great learning resources for you... Access to your library online: https://www.overdrive.com/ MIT's open courseware platform: https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm Skillshare has a banner ad at the top of the screen for two months of premium for free: www.skillshare.com Here is a list of free resources put together by Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/martingiles/2020/03/19/free-software-for-businesses-and-schools-covid19/#467e08ee752d For more Messy Studio: www.messystudiopodcast.com www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast For more from Rebecca Crowell: www.rebeccacrowell.com www.squeegeepress.com The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production. Rebecca Crowell, Art, Travel, New Mexico, COVID-19, Quarantine, Isolation, Learning, Personal Development When the news media first mentioned the coronavirus spreading through China, few of us in the rest of the world realized the huge impact it would have. A few months later we face quarantines and severe economic consequences and many of us are facing isolation, boredom, and anxiety, as well as financial stress. In this episode we address how the current measures implemented to contain COVID-19 have affected our lives as artists, as well as ideas for coping in this time of uncertainty and change.

Currently Rebecca is in quarantine in New Mexico, fortunately without symptoms. She did have to cut her time in Ireland short and return to the United States before the suspension of international travel. This meant canceling a workshop, an important source of income, and spending the next two weeks confined to her home. Like many other artists, she has also canceled other upcoming workshops and travel.

The pandemic now affects every aspect of our lives as artists, from the postponed or canceled events and galleries on the economic brink, to the need to shelter in place, possibly apart from our studios, and the loss of personal contact with other artists. It can be hard to focus on our work when we are feeling anxious and distracted by the constant flow of bad news, and worries about ourselves and our loved ones.

There is much about the current situation that is unknown and beyond our control. But concentrating on what we can control, including our attitudes is the key to staying mentally healthy. Even though many things now seem hopeless and frightening, there are also positive aspects to the situation on which to focus. Acting in generous ways, thinking of how to help others, and realizing we're all in this together can all help with remaining on track. For many of us, a spiritual component is critical to maintaining the right attitude to survive and thrive in the midst of a catastrophe. Technology is a help in many aspects of what we're now dealing with, and spirituality is no exception. Whatever your spiritual philosophy, there is an app that will send you daily devotionals, meditations, or affirmations. Spend some time every morning reading these rather than the latest COVID-19 news. This will set the tone for the rest of the day. The news is important, but it can wait a few minutes.

As artists we are very fortunate to have the commitment to our work to help us in this time of isolation. Some of us are lucky enough to have ongoing access to our studios, but if not it may help to remember times when you created in less than ideal circumstances, as most of us did starting out. We can value the chance to catch up on projects, do some online learning, or delve into some idea that has been on the back burner. For many of us, our time in the studio is now our own, without the need to prepare for upcoming exhibits or meet other outside demands., and there is a certain freedom to that. We may also be able to catch up on projects that have fallen by the wayside. because we don’t find them very fulfilling, like bookkeeping or cleaning; clearing out a backlog of such chores is a good feeling.

Besides more time in the studio, many of us also have more time with our families. Try to establish a routine to help you make the most of this time, including as much time as possible to your art. Adjusting to working in your studio while caring for school aged children who are now at home will be difficult, but there are many educational resources online to help. Your kids may also enjoy making some art with you, and learning about what you do.

Financial difficulty will hit many of us and create a great deal of anxiety. One suggestion is to develop a new income stream related to your art practice now, such as an online course, a mentoring program, or instructional video series. An art course aimed at children might be especially appropriate at this time. Think about what your specialized niche might be and have confidence that most artists have an insatiable thirst for learning and improving. While it will take weeks or longer to develop something worth charging for, starting now is a smart move. Even the isolation imposed by COVID-19 ends soon, we'll be feeling the economic strain for some time.

We are all currently faced with enormous changes and challenges, and it's all happening fast. Some people will sit at home, hypnotized by the television, waiting for this all to be over. But others will use this time to improve their work, improvise with what they do have, and address neglected aspects of their lives.

To quote the late Toni Morrison:
"This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self pity, no need for silence, and no room for fear. We do language. (or in this case, art…) That is how civilizations heal."

Here are some great learning resources for you...

Access to your library online:
https://www.overdrive.com/

MIT's open courseware platform:
https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

Skillshare has a banner ad at the top of the screen for two months of premium for free:
www.skillshare.com

Here is a list of free resources put together by Forbes:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/martingiles/2020/03/19/free-software-for-businesses-and-schools-covid19/#467e08ee752d

For more Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

]]> When the news media first mentioned the coronavirus spreading through China, few of us in the rest of the world realized the huge impact it would have. A few months later we face quarantines and severe economic consequences and many of us are facing isolation, boredom, and anxiety, as well as financial stress. In this episode we address how the current measures implemented to contain COVID-19 have affected our lives as artists, as well as ideas for coping in this time of uncertainty and change.

Currently Rebecca is in quarantine in New Mexico, fortunately without symptoms. She did have to cut her time in Ireland short and return to the United States before the suspension of international travel. This meant canceling a workshop, an important source of income, and spending the next two weeks confined to her home. Like many other artists, she has also canceled other upcoming workshops and travel.

The pandemic now affects every aspect of our lives as artists, from the postponed or canceled events and galleries on the economic brink, to the need to shelter in place, possibly apart from our studios, and the loss of personal contact with other artists. It can be hard to focus on our work when we are feeling anxious and distracted by the constant flow of bad news, and worries about ourselves and our loved ones.

There is much about the current situation that is unknown and beyond our control. But concentrating on what we can control, including our attitudes is the key to staying mentally healthy. Even though many things now seem hopeless and frightening, there are also positive aspects to the situation on which to focus. Acting in generous ways, thinking of how to help others, and realizing we're all in this together can all help with remaining on track. For many of us, a spiritual component is critical to maintaining the right attitude to survive and thrive in the midst of a catastrophe. Technology is a help in many aspects of what we're now dealing with, and spirituality is no exception. Whatever your spiritual philosophy, there is an app that will send you daily devotionals, meditations, or affirmations. Spend some time every morning reading these rather than the latest COVID-19 news. This will set the tone for the rest of the day. The news is important, but it can wait a few minutes.

As artists we are very fortunate to have the commitment to our work to help us in this time of isolation. Some of us are lucky enough to have ongoing access to our studios, but if not it may help to remember times when you created in less than ideal circumstances, as most of us did starting out. We can value the chance to catch up on projects, do some online learning, or delve into some idea that has been on the back burner. For many of us, our time in the studio is now our own, without the need to prepare for upcoming exhibits or meet other outside demands., and there is a certain freedom to that. We may also be able to catch up on projects that have fallen by the wayside. because we don’t find them very fulfilling, like bookkeeping or cleaning; clearing out a backlog of such chores is a good feeling.

Besides more time in the studio, many of us also have more time with our families. Try to establish a routine to help you make the most of this time, including as much time as possible to your art. Adjusting to working in your studio while caring for school aged children who are now at home will be difficult, but there are many educational resources online to help. Your kids may also enjoy making some art with you, and learning about what you do.

Financial difficulty will hit many of us and create a great deal of anxiety. One suggestion is to develop a new income stream related to your art practice now, such as an online course, a mentoring program, or instructional video series. An art course aimed at children might be especially appropriate at this time. Think about what your specialized niche might be and have confidence that most artists have an insatiable thirst for learning and improving. While it will take weeks or longer to develop something worth charging for, starting now is a smart move. Even the isolation imposed by COVID-19 ends soon, we'll be feeling the economic strain for some time.

We are all currently faced with enormous changes and challenges, and it's all happening fast. Some people will sit at home, hypnotized by the television, waiting for this all to be over. But others will use this time to improve their work, improvise with what they do have, and address neglected aspects of their lives.

To quote the late Toni Morrison:
"This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self pity, no need for silence, and no room for fear. We do language. (or in this case, art…) That is how civilizations heal."

Here are some great learning resources for you...

Access to your library online:
https://www.overdrive.com/

MIT's open courseware platform:
https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

Skillshare has a banner ad at the top of the screen for two months of premium for free:
www.skillshare.com

Here is a list of free resources put together by Forbes:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/martingiles/2020/03/19/free-software-for-businesses-and-schools-covid19/#467e08ee752d

For more Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

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