Covid-19 has changed so many things for so many people. Quite apart from the ‘change’ in their lives this Pandemic has been utterly devastating causing loss, grief, anxiety and isolation. Not being able to go for a meal with friends and family, get married and celebrate, support your sports team etc… all of these things are and will continue to have a huge impact. We will come through it but it will take a lot of effort and work.
Industries have had to adapt to new working patterns and needs. Advertising in all it’s guises is no exception and for many this has led to the direct loss of their job or business and a sudden need to retrain and rethink.
As a long time freelance professional illustrator and visualiser I was perhaps better prepared for this ‘New World’ than many.
In reality, little has changed other than the obvious fact that there is less work to do! I still work remotely as I have for many years (with the odd ‘away game’ now and then). My clients have generally adapted well and it’s business as usual going forward… I’m also lucky to be at the back end of a long career… I feel for those who are not or who have only just made a start.
What has has changed personally is an idea which has been a slow burner in the background. Over the last few years I have had it in mind to increase direct private commission work to the wider public. This has now moved up the list and has become a real and exciting project.
My default has always been to meet the needs of a brief or idea originated by others. Often my input goes beyond just drawing or painting what I have been told to do (though doing so is never a problem).
I always enjoy the challenges of having creative input and this has led me to the idea that I should concentrate more on this side of things if I want become more artist than illustrator…
To promote this and to let people know that they can commission work at reasonable cost in which they can have a real input creatively, I have launched this gallery site. Featured are works almost all of which are digitally drawn or painted - which simple means that they are produced via a stylus ‘pen’ on a pressure tablet straight to a computer programme such as Photoshop or Corel Painter. No paper, no paint. The finished result is a high quality fine art print which can be framed and which is difficult to distinguish from a traditionally made drawing or painting (some examples on the site are traditionally done and I’m very happy to do these - they usually take a bit longer and so cost a little more).
I am open for commissions and your ideas and input are welcomed (as of course are your requests for said commissions - DM, email or call). Please let me know what you think of the idea (good and bad), the work, what subjects and areas might be good to explore (I’m going to produce several print series over the coming months too).
I’ll endeavour to maintain this as an ongoing Blog, probably with the odd rant or two but hopefully with news and bits and pieces that I find interesting and which I hope you will too…
It’s possible to wrestle back some positives from this dreadful year… we need not feel isolated if we use the things at our disposal to our advantage. The internet and Social Media can be a great help and there can still be ‘real’ community and sharing of ideas even if much of it has to be remote and socially distanced!!
Best
DC