In February 2020 my husband and I travelled to Singapore, which we have visited annually since we moved from there four years ago. We like the relaxed atmosphere of the city, and find it a nice place to escape to in winter, with its year-round equatorial weather, as well as the interesting multicultural populations, amazing variety of food and the intricate contemporary, colonial and traditional Asian architecture.
Unfortunately, only four days into our visit, the Singapore government raised the coronavirus alert to Orange as the situation was quickly deteriorating, We were concerned about the danger of falling sick in a foreign country, even though we appreciated the efficiency of the Singapore government in handling of the virus. Many people were wearing masks, and temperature checks were required before entering buildings. After a week we decided to curtail our trip and return to UK, thinking that we would be safe!
Only a few weeks after our return, the UK found itself in a similar situation. The numbers of people infected and dying were increasing at a rapid rate, and the government put the UK into lockdown on 23 March to help reduce the transmission rate and help the NHS. It has been a very difficult time for everyone, and it is so sad that so many people, especially doctors, nurses and carers, have died.
My husband and I find ourselves very much together as a result of the new ‘normal’. We now go shopping together once or twice a week, cook together every day, have been working on the garden and painting the house gradually room by room, and are taking a daily walk round Hyde Park.
I am also focusing on my drawing and painting without any distractions. Finger drawing on my iPhone is my favourite medium, as it is instant. The colours can be as vibrant as you want or as subtle as you like. I have created a few digital paintings and they are posted under the Digital Page.
As previously mentioned, David Hockney inspired me to start drawing on my phone, and he inspired me once again by unveiling his spring paintings in April on the BBC. I hope my colourful work will give others pleasure at this unprecedented and difficult time.
In April 2020, during the height of the first wave of the pandemic, I learnt from a friend that SKY TV was holding weekly live portrait sessions. I began to tune in every Sunday – not just to have a different subject to paint each week but also because the programme offered a real sense of connection with other artists in what was a very isolating time for all. During that time I produced 22 portraits in oil on canvas and oil paper.
Sky started the second serious of Portrait Artist of the Week every Sunday from October 18, and there were 9 episodes finished on Sunday December 13 ready for Christmas. Unfortunately now London and most of England are in Tier 3 due to rising of Covid cases. Although we now have the first Vaccine offered to NHS and people most at risk, there is a long way to go back to normal.
Portraits 2023-24
After lockdown I was introduced to the London Sketch Club, where I have had the opportunity to refine my figurative work, this time creating portrait paintings of live models.
Linda Ting Wareham 