by Garry McMichael
These are unusual times. While our day-to-day routines have changed pretty dramatically, it’s important to remember that we can still seek joy, peace, and health.
I know many are disappointed that art shows and other art related events have been canceled or postponed. I was personally excited to show my new series of paintings this Spring at various art fairs, but that’s not going to happen.
Since we are going to be out of our routines, now is a good time to break some old habits and start a few new ones. Here are some ideas you might want to try.
SEEK HELP: Look for other sources for grants and emergency funding just for artists. Here is a website that is offering a listing of resources for Artists: Art Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak
ONLINE ART GALLERIES: With all the extra time on your hands you might look into joining an online art gallery to exhibit and sell your art. Did you know that Art Saint Louis has a smartphone & tablet mobile app to help you show off and sell your art?! It’s called ArtLoupe and it’s a 24/7 art fair in the palm of your hand. You can exhibit and sell your work through the app and those who are interested in purchasing original artwork can easily do so right through the app. Check it out.
Here are a couple more online art galleries where I’ve sold original paintings, prints and photography: SaatchiArt.com, Artfinder.com and Fine Art America. Here’s another great resource to learn about selling your art online ArtsyShark.com.
GET INSPIRED: Were you going to do a workshop this spring. Good chance it will be delayed. Head over to YouTube.com and explore all the how-to videos on art making, process, marketing, and just about any other subject that interests you. Lots of tutorials you can watch for free.
GO OUTSIDE! Social distancing doesn’t mean stop everything and become a hermit. The outdoors is still open for business. Missouri’s Department of Conservation has hundreds of Conservation Areas where you can hike, explore, fish, hunt, and observe Spring coming into bloom. There is nothing more beautiful than an Ozarks spring with Redbuds and Dogwoods. All the waterfalls are flowing, and the trees will soon begin to leaf out. If you happen across other nature and outdoor lovers just keep your distance, be friendly and share your joy of being outside.
Just a heads up, while the trails may be open, many facilities are closed including public restrooms, visitor centers, and public campgrounds – plan accordingly. Here are three websites to research, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources-State Parks. My favorite source for places to hike is AllTrails.com. It’s a great resource, with photos, detailed descriptions, maps, difficulty ratings and reviews from other hikers. Best of all its free.
Here is a suggested list of more ideas to help inspire you:
No one knows how long the Coronavirus will last, but it may be the best thing to happen to you this Spring.
These are unusual times. While our day-to-day routines have changed pretty dramatically, it’s important to remember that we can still seek joy, peace, and health.
I know many are disappointed that art shows and other art related events have been canceled or postponed. I was personally excited to show my new series of paintings this Spring at various art fairs, but that’s not going to happen.
Since we are going to be out of our routines, now is a good time to break some old habits and start a few new ones. Here are some ideas you might want to try.
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| During these difficult times we all need to “lean together,” encourage and help each other. Garry McMichael. Building Trust. 2017. Acrylic on Canvas, 18"x36". |
SEEK HELP: Look for other sources for grants and emergency funding just for artists. Here is a website that is offering a listing of resources for Artists: Art Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak
ONLINE ART GALLERIES: With all the extra time on your hands you might look into joining an online art gallery to exhibit and sell your art. Did you know that Art Saint Louis has a smartphone & tablet mobile app to help you show off and sell your art?! It’s called ArtLoupe and it’s a 24/7 art fair in the palm of your hand. You can exhibit and sell your work through the app and those who are interested in purchasing original artwork can easily do so right through the app. Check it out.
Here are a couple more online art galleries where I’ve sold original paintings, prints and photography: SaatchiArt.com, Artfinder.com and Fine Art America. Here’s another great resource to learn about selling your art online ArtsyShark.com.
GET INSPIRED: Were you going to do a workshop this spring. Good chance it will be delayed. Head over to YouTube.com and explore all the how-to videos on art making, process, marketing, and just about any other subject that interests you. Lots of tutorials you can watch for free.
- Learn something new or get inspiration on the art you are presently doing.
- Research a new medium, create a new style, and develop new artistic ideas.
- Learn how to set up your own website. With web sources like Weebly and WIX you can do it yourself. It’s not nearly as difficult or expensive as you might think. YouTube offers plenty of free tutorials and reviews to get you started.
- Learn how to photograph your art, use your camera, and take great pictures.
- If you like to sew, or are a fiber artist, learn how to make your own protective surgical masks. Your family, friends and your children will love wearing their own personal masks, handmade by you.
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| Get out, go to a park or the woods to photograph or paint a Dogwood Tree. Garry McMichael. Ozark Dogwood. 2008. Oil on Canvas Board, 6"x8". |
GO OUTSIDE! Social distancing doesn’t mean stop everything and become a hermit. The outdoors is still open for business. Missouri’s Department of Conservation has hundreds of Conservation Areas where you can hike, explore, fish, hunt, and observe Spring coming into bloom. There is nothing more beautiful than an Ozarks spring with Redbuds and Dogwoods. All the waterfalls are flowing, and the trees will soon begin to leaf out. If you happen across other nature and outdoor lovers just keep your distance, be friendly and share your joy of being outside.
 |
| Take a walk in the woods and watch Spring bloom. Garry McMichael. Ozark Redbud. 2009. Pastel on Paper, 14"x11". |
Just a heads up, while the trails may be open, many facilities are closed including public restrooms, visitor centers, and public campgrounds – plan accordingly. Here are three websites to research, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources-State Parks. My favorite source for places to hike is AllTrails.com. It’s a great resource, with photos, detailed descriptions, maps, difficulty ratings and reviews from other hikers. Best of all its free.
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| Visit YouTube.com to learn how to make a protective mask. So much to learn and it’s free. |
Here is a suggested list of more ideas to help inspire you:
- Practice your art daily, you will only get better.
- Start entering art contests, juried exhibits and competitions via the internet.
- Explore a new art medium or hobby.
- Dig out those old puzzles and show a child how good you are at finding the missing piece.
- Re-read an old book from your childhood.
- Find a new book to put on your nightstand (O America by William Least Heat Moon). Play a board game or cards with your children.
- Learn something through Udemy or other online learning sites.
- Watch an old classic movie (Casablanca), or any movie.
- Clean and organize your art area or room!
- Organize files on your computer. LOL!
- Call a friend you have lost contact with. Do you wonder whatever happened to what’s-her-name?
- Get in touch with a relative you haven’t talked to in a long time.
- Make a greeting card and send it to a long-lost friend.
- Clean out unneeded stuff to donate to charity.
- Say some prayers. We could use some right now.
- Teach a pet a new trick.
- Cook something new.
- Make popcorn the old-fashioned way with lots of butter and salt.
- Write a poem, a story or a memoir.
- Create a book or notecards of your art.
- Checkout Shutterfly on making a book.
- Exercise, LOL!
- Start a window garden.
- Grow a tomato.
- Repot a plant.
- Teach your child how to do something old.
- Eat some dark chocolate; tell yourself it’s good for you.
- Learn/practice a musical instrument.
- Set aside time every day to practice, practice, practice your art.
- Take a quiet walk in a park.
- Walk out on the Eads Bridge and enjoy the St Louis skyline. Yes, it’s safe.
- Float a river.
- Catch a fish.
- Make a list of the birds that come to your feeder.
- Take a photograph.
- Camp in a quiet place.
- Go skinny dipping.
- Hunt morel mushrooms.
- Drink a bottle of wine and relax.
- Play in a waterfall.
- Ride a bike.
- Ride a horse.
- Go camping.
- Go on a picnic.
- Watch the sunset.
- Watch the moonrise.
- Find the North star.
- Teach a child the wonders of nature.
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| Art you can play with. Garry McMichael. Playing Tic-Tac-Toe with Kandinsky. Acrylic, 40"x40". |
No one knows how long the Coronavirus will last, but it may be the best thing to happen to you this Spring.
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Editor's Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
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Garry McMichael is a St. Louis-based artist whose drawings, paintings and photographic artworks have been featured in exhibitions and art fairs throughout the region. In addition to his art photography, Garry has been a commercial photographer for decades with works published in national periodicals & publications. Garry presents artist workshops and how-to seminars. He is also a long-time member of Art Saint Louis, Greater St. Louis Art Association, and is past President of Gateway Pastel Artists.
Garry McMichael is a St. Louis-based artist whose drawings, paintings and photographic artworks have been featured in exhibitions and art fairs throughout the region. In addition to his art photography, Garry has been a commercial photographer for decades with works published in national periodicals & publications. Garry presents artist workshops and how-to seminars. He is also a long-time member of Art Saint Louis, Greater St. Louis Art Association, and is past President of Gateway Pastel Artists.
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