…. that blows nobody any good,” as the old folk saying has it. These days I’m beginning to appreciate the truth of it. During the current “lockdown” because of the Covid-19 pandemic many people are having a really difficult time. I hear on the news today about the latest figures for unemployment–taking the large view. At the other end of the scale I met in the street today a couple I know, and we exchanged notes. She is really fed up with the restrictions on activity and movement, and looks with foreboding at the continuation of the regime of restriction.*
I was interested, however, to call into our local deli this afternoon, to hear that they are now working a seven-day week. Their original activity as a restaurant has had to be suspended, but they have expanded the activity in the shop to include home deliveries. Consequently they are doing very well out of the epidemic.
These contrasting experiences led me to reflect on my own situation, and I have to confess that in many respect I am also a beneficiary of the current state of affairs. Several activities in which I would normally engage are in suspension, and I cannot recall a time when it has been more easily possible simply to get my head down and paint. Entirely without distractions, I am being abnormally productive at the moment. Of course, I look forward to a time when normal activity will be resumed–especially the task of finding and mounting new exhibitions. (The current one is the tail-end of an arrangement made some time ago.) Gallery visits, and meetings with colleagues, are in suspension, both of which I do miss. Even so, I have to acknowledge that I am managing to achieve a degree of focus and direction that is quite exceptional.
*She is a volunteer participant in one of the trial runs of a vaccine at the moment, so is hopeful that an end is in sight.