Blog #9: 1st Full Week at Home

The first full week at home has been a struggle, realizing that I truly thrive off of a routine has never been more apparent. I spent my first week at home slowly figuring out how to get homework, studio work, and family time balanced. Not to mention figuring out a new job, sleep schedule, and eating schedule. I hadn't worked in the studio since before spring break, knowing I needed to get back into it made me sad- because I would be doing it without the community/ bubble I have while at UNI. The first day back in my "new" space working ended in tears. I think mostly because of the built up stress and emotion that came with moving out and home in 48 hours including being ready to start classes on Monday. Learning to live cohesively with my family is also a difficult transition that exists without the circumstances we are faced with currently, so they are heightened.  After spending a lot of time organizing my things and thoughts the last few days have been more productive but am still working at making things better. This abrupt change took a toll on my body and mind. I am just now feeling caught up on sleep and my own well being.  I've been spending some time working on puzzles, a community free library for my backyard (we live outside of city limits in a rural neighborhood with a lot of little kids that walk on the trail right behind our backyard.) I needed something creative to spend my time doing that didn't involve art school stuff. 

Saying that community is important is an understatement. I feel like now more than ever is a time when communities need to come together. In between all of the Covid-19 news, I saw on the news here in Council Bluffs an arts center is delivering free DIY art bags to mailboxes. People are offering any assistance that they can to others. Personally, I miss my art community. I value the feedback, artful conversations, and so much more that exist within the contents of art school. Being in BFA I suddenly had to transition to making work at home without the people that I'm around all of the time and that was difficult. When you're used to seeing people everyday, and suddenly don't get that luxury anymore it changes your daily life. I've also been realizing how community has become a huge thing on social media- artists are going live on instagram with other artists, working separately but together. I'm seeing if some of my art people are interested in something like that in the coming weeks ahead. I'm looking for creative ways to keep myself busy when I'm having a hard time being productive- normally I'd just go to my studio to be productive but that isn't going to work right now. There are better times ahead, the sun is shining (where I am), and this new normal will become more comfortable with time. Sending you all a virtual hug and know that I'm missing our conversations, time together, and everything else. Here are some photos from what I've been up to- made some mugs, have been working through weekly performance art exercises, finished puzzle, and in progress community library. ❤️