Art and Soul
How are you? Firstly thanks to all the amazing writers who took part in #onesmallthing during lockdown. It was a joyous series and so many people have said it raised their spirits. I hope you enjoyed it.
Now, as lockdown is easing in the UK a lot of people
are getting used to a new normal and coping with all the emotions change brings
- fear, anger, confusion. But if you're not ready to venture into the world yet, from Grayson's Art Club (still available from Channel 4) to museums
and theatres throwing their virtual doors open the arts can show us a way
through. I believe the arts are vital for our mental health and we need them more than ever now.
FOCUS ON
DETAILS One of my favourite places in Cambridge Ede
KEEP IT
SIMPLE In my previous job curating art collections, you could almost time to
the second how long it took for some wise-guy to say 'My kid could do that!' as
we uncrated the paintings. There's a memorable story about the photographer and
Surrealist muse Lee Miller hosting a dinner party where she showed her guests a
new Picasso she had bought. Inevitably someone said 'Rubbish! I could do that!'
Miller was prepared, and flung open the doors to the next room to reveal
canvases and paints awaiting her guests. Sounds fun. She proved her point - it
looks easy, but it's not. Maybe you've heard the story about the woman who
asked Picasso for a doodle on a napkin? He rocked off an exquisite sketch and
said 'that will be a thousand Francs'. She said 'What? For that? It took you a
few seconds!' He replied 'No Madam, it took me a lifetime.' Visit the Picasso
Museum Barcelona for a virtual tour, or join in one of
Grayson Perry's Art Clubs.
TUNE OUT
On social media in the arts we hear all the good stuff: who has great new
deals, hot new agents, brilliant new books out. We hear about the reviews, and
launches, and lunches (pre lockdown), and who is on Richard & Judy, and ...
it can all get a bit 'where are my croissants' as a writer friend said the
other day if you are working away in your pyjamas with your cat for company and
feeling at all fragile and uncertain. If the online world is getting
noisy and putting you off your stride - if it is taking up too much mental
space, turn it off for a while. Enjoy the silence and recharge your batteries
with something which will refresh you. As Miss Rebecca Chance pointed out, The Metropolitan Opera has nightly streams.
CLEAR THE DECKS What
is it that you have been putting off? You know, that thing. What nagging tasks
keep popping into your mind taking up valuable creative space? For me, this week
I tackled filing. A horrible job, but you know what? It has cleared a big
physical and mental space. I feel present, and ready to move on. So - what
small steps can you do to clear your mind and your space? While you are doing
that, why not listen to an audio book of something on your teetering TBR pile which
you haven't had time to read? Being told
a story throws you right back to childhood somehow. If you can't face the
filing, forget it, and just curl up with a comforting story. Try Audible's free
30 day trial.
BE KIND
TO YOURSELF Not all artists and writers are 'mad, bad and dangerous to know
...' The majority of us hold down day jobs, run households (and several of us
regularly write late into the night only to be woken up at 5am by bouncy dogs
and children). As Wendy Cope said, with poets there's rather more brown
corduroy than Byronic passion - and very few of the successful writers I've met
conform to the romantic ideal of half god/addict. I know that Hemingway used to
leave his cat babysitting his infant son, but would you? If you are taking care
of people, or coping with being alone you need to take care of yourself first -
a simple routine, watching your consumption of coffee and alcohol, eating
nutritious food, getting decent sleep. Practicing mindfulness - focussing on
the here and now when your mind starts spiralling away helps too. Mind has tips and
exercises to try.
LET IT GO
As Elizabeth Gilbert wrote: 'In a world of disorder and disaster and fraud,
sometimes only beauty can be trusted.' We've certainly got disaster and financial
chaos all around us - where the arts can come in is countering this with
beauty, excellence, and simple pleasures. Get creative - dust off that
notebook. One of the most interesting writing exercises
I've ever tried was this: write a dialogue between yourself and something - an
object, a person, a part of you. Anything that's been taking up mental space or
bothering you. For example, if your caffeine addiction/your cronky back/your
tiresome relative is causing you grief, you might begin: 'What is it with you coffee/back/etc?'
then write their response. Just let the words flow - it's surprising what comes
up, and children love this exercise too. This kind of personal essay as debate
has been used since Seneca's time, and it's a valuable tool.
As we take small steps back to our lives it can all feel
rather overwhelming. But you are enough as you are. Getting through each day is
enough. Perhaps focussing one One Small Thing every day is the way to go. Look
for one thing bringing you joy, or that you're grateful for. Or perhaps finish
one small task which will make your life better. Some fallow time where you let
the arts work their magic could be just what you need to lift your spirits. And
if you are looking for something to read with art at its heart, why not try TheHouse of Dreams which is 99p for a limited time. Inspired by the true
story of the 'artists' Schindler' it gained a Booklist starred review: 'Brown
brings a cinematic sensibility to her writing, making the long-ago exploits of
Fry and his cohorts pulse with life, with an ever-present sense of danger
looming overhead. There is much to admire about this novel and its strong cast
of characters, most of all its portrayal of the cost--and legacy--of real
courage.'
Just as we need art, our galleries and theatres need our support to survive. If you've come across an amazing art resource during lockdown, perhaps you'd like to share it in the comments?
Just as we need art, our galleries and theatres need our support to survive. If you've come across an amazing art resource during lockdown, perhaps you'd like to share it in the comments?
Take care, stay safe, stay
well.
