2021 Wrap up
/The last few years has been challenging. Whilst I’m still running my business on two bars of 3G and no reliable internet in sight (this post has literally taken several attempts to load because its raining) the pandemic has virtually shut down the arts. Due to state political situations for the best part of two years I have either been stuck behind a physical barrier cut off from work or working and unable to return home between ever changing restrictions. I still don’t understand why couch surfing and camping around Queensland is safer than sleeping in my own bed just a stones throw south of the border but anyways were all in this together yeah?
Operating a 100% Queensland business and having to apply for a permit, commute 45 kms in the wrong direction to sit at a checkpoint cue to be questioned by maskless police and army then return the long way home through congested roadworks for no reason has taken its toll. I’m cool with doing my bit for a public health crisis but when the LGA you reside has zero cases and Brisbane is 8x closer than Sydney, it makes no sense to be denied the opportunity to access work, let alone the quickest route in an emergency all while sports events continued take place in packed stadiums with athletes flown in from interstate hotspots. I feel for all those adversely affected in recent times and in my own experience I’ve had to make snap decisions to be temporilary homeless or income less by my own state gov, Ive been forced to buy materials and hire equipment I have sitting in my workshop just down the road, Ive watched competitors poach my work and witnessed the premier promoting public art and tourism projects across Queensland one of which I literally had on hold because of cross border restrictions. Ive missed medical appoints and couldn’t cross the border for original scheduled 2nd vaccination, been cut off from friends & family, and I even buried our dog in a family members yard because if i layed her to rest in my garden I was unable to return for work. I have put my heart and soul into Queensland over my 20 year career and the lack of any support for border residents from both state governments compounds the failings from a federal level. The uncertainty of ever changing restrictions has disproportionately placed challenges on small business and the most vunerable whilst many large companies are handed tax payer funded subsidies and the obscenely wealthy cash in on Covid. Were all left wondering how celebrities and football players receive magical exemptions to the rules and why double standards have become accepted as the norm.
However during this time I have been fortunate theres been plenty of interest in my artwork. Throwing any sort of work/life balance out the window I have tried to make the most of every professional opportunity. Knowing how disproportionately the arts sector has suffered with Covid restrictions I am grateful to still be operating two decades after starting my business. Completing 25 projects this year entailing of 4 tours of Queensland, projects with 11 schools from Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Gympie & Gold Coast has all been a bit of a blurr.
When lockdowns have been looming I have purchased canvasses and bunkered down in my studio to put time into developing an exhibition. Another side project I have been working on is a cartoon featuring my sidekick/manager Mac the Fox Terrier. Like many artists I have utilised down time to prepare new work and avoid total insanity!
Theres been a few firsts and no shortage of ups and downs and surprises along there way. Some of the most of memorable experiences of 2021 include collaborations with Ronell, Kosie 1, Lucy Ann Artistry and Blurg. Its been great to make several new friendships, discover fresh walls, observe koalas from the studio and share food, drinks and conversations with homeless people at campsites whilst wealthy grey nomads complain about the dust and cost of fuel in the outback. Further to the counter productive border restrictions mentioned earlier some other challenging experiences include having 2 flat tyres & getting bogged in the same week and the past couple of months recovering from injury and experiencing chronic pain but I am looking forward to getting back to business and splashing some paint around again soon.
Thank you for the support and stay tuned as theres plenty more art in the making and projects planned for the new year,
Sauce
