Making art to cope with isolation
Fredericton– As COVID evolves and new cases are increasing, lockdown seems to be a viable solution for most people. For many, isolation has become a way to develop their hobbies, and even further on, get the practice they needed on past habits. But for some others, isolation could mean not going back home, and even not be able to do what they used to with friends. They have to look for ways to spend time without compromising their safety and others around them.
Maria Fernanda, a graduate student from Mexico has done everything to cope with the lockdown, from watching her favourite series to finally finding what made her happy amongst anything else. What she thought could be a hobby turned out to become a passion like no other. A way to express the frustrations and sadness of not being able to go back home because of the circumstances in both Canada and Mexico.
“It was hard at first. To receive such news all of a sudden really changed this for me. I used to cope with my stress going for runs or going out with friends, but when COVID started I had to change all of that.” For Maria things looked complicated at first. Combining isolation with the school through zoom with her Mexican peers, which took all her energy. She had nothing in mind until her mother recommended her hobby, painting. Maria grew up in a family of artists, and by this meaning, it was easier for her to learn and develop her own techniques based on images from the internet.
Her pieces are reflections of how she has felt since the start of the pandemic, however, as her house´s walls hold her canvases, the idea of finally being able to sell them seems tempting.
Her roommate, Valeria Gutierrez, also a Mexican citizen has been inspired by Maria´s creative nature, which also led her to paint and enhance her drawing skills. As it was for her friend, isolation made Valeria seek a job and get decided about spending a whole year without seeing her family, but Maria´s company made things better. Seeing her art on the walls has made a huge impact on the ambience and feel of their household. She explains how “Looking at the pictures that were hanging before we started painting, the house looked so empty and so dead. It didn’t look like our house, it just looked like a rented apartment. And now with the paintings on the wall, it looks like a house. Like something unique that we are building.” Their imagination has led them to tolerate lockdown, as they keep developing their creative traits with time.
Like most of the internationals in Fredericton, Maria and Valeria have decided to stay until things get better. Being afraid of bringing the virus to their families doesn’t seem like something rational. However, the dream of selling their art or sharing a gallery to show Fredericton their pieces is still there.
As Maria expresses “I have a friend studying graphic design here in Fredericton, and when I told him I started painting, he got crazy. He told me I should go to the cultural market and try to sell the pieces, but honestly, that is something that I actually haven’t considered. I paint for my friends, and the paintings are always free, but it would be nice to have a gallery with my work. Maybe in the future.”
Both of them wish to share their feelings and creativity, but for now, the idea seems distant. Maria has to graduate this year and Valeria has more goals to accomplish before settling down in one place.
