While quarantine may seem like an endless period of boredom, many students at San Luis Obispo High School are using this time to create art. There is more time in the day for students to do things they enjoy that they never had enough time to do before, and many student artists are using this opportunity to express themselves while stuck at home. Expressions talked to two student artists that are still creating art in quarantine.
“I typically draw inspiration from my own emotions and thoughts, and that has stayed true especially during the quarantine. I’m trying to stay in tune with myself and my moods, and more often than not those feelings are strong enough to lead me to make a piece about them. That being said, a lot of my artwork is abstraction or surrealist, seeing as I don’t usually find inspiration in material objects or landscapes or the news,” said junior Olivia Dong.
The quarantine has also given student artists more opportunities to try new techniques and styles.
“I have had so much time to do all sorts of things. I feel like I’ve done every type! I’ve worked on crocheting, sewing, embroidery, acrylic paint, watercolor, and so much more. I have learned a lot about my self and the techniques I use and I am fortunate to have so much time on my hands to get better and grow as an artist,” said sophomore Morgan Mosichuck.
Some artists, such as Dong, have begun to create emotional pieces that are unique to their own lives.
“The piece of art that I’ve made in lockdown that’s most important to me would be the first one I made, during the first week of online learning. It links back to a 15’ by 10’ painting I did last summer at an art workshop in Chicago, which depicted a visualization of my own anxiety, called “Ursula.” Ursula is the name I gave to my anxiety in therapy in seventh grade. The piece I made in quarantine is smaller but still portrays Ursula. The idea is that she’s is not so big, so all-encompassing anymore; her power is smaller and easier to manage but nevertheless still present. The concept really resonated with me that first week, seeing as I’ve been managing my OCD and anxiety pretty well, but they’ll never be fully gone. The piece is titled “ursula returns (ursula pt. II)” (all lowercase is intentional),” said Dong.
Even some artists, such as Mosichuck, are selling their art right now.
“I actually started a little business and I’ve been making handmade stickers from pictures of things people like, such as animals or logos, and I paint them then turn them into stickers. I go off of my Instagram so people can contact me @morganmosichuk,” said Mosichuck.
Art is not limited to simply paint and ink; countless SLOHS students are also spending their extra time in quarantine expressing their creativity through an instrument, film, and design. The artworks in the image above are “ursula pt. II” by Dong and a sample of Mosichuck’s customized pet paintings.
