I hope everyone is dealing as best they can while we ride this thing out. Working from home for the past six weeks has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I am grateful to have a job and a paycheck, and a house to work from. But the downside has been a slowly creeping ennui as each day seems to blend with the next, and the charm of not showering and working in sweats has long lost its luster.
Thankfully I’ve still been motivated enough to drag my butt outside most mornings, sometimes for a run, sometimes for a walk. Sometimes with a camera in hand, sometimes with just my phone. I have been careful to listen to my inner voice, and not feel that I need to stay creatively productive during this lockdown. I know many artists and musicians, and I have seen a plethora of reactions to this situation. Some folks have been very publicly sharing their personal process, some folks have shut down completely. There is no correct way for artists to deal with a pandemic. To put unrealistic pressure on ourselves to create some kind of masterpiece during all of this is an exercise in self-flagellation. At the same time, I personally have realized that my photography is something that brings my life meaning. More than my career, currently.
So it was with this mindset that I worked on two zine projects this week. They both happened organically. One arose when I was literally staring at the junk accumulated on my desk. The other was the result of a meditative walk, listening to “Music For Nine Postcards” (mentioned in my post last week.) I sat at my desk, beer in hand, Car Seat Headrest in my headphones, and over two work sessions I pounded out the layouts. Thanks to a discount sale at Magcloud, I was able to print one copy of each zine for a grand total of 12 dollars. Just one copy each. Not sure if there will be more, or if these two will be for my eyes only. A record of these times that will sit on my bookshelf for years to come.
Whatever way you are dealing with the crisis is the right way. There is no judgement, no productivity shaming, no advice, no wrong way. There is only your way. Be OK with it. And stay safe.
