Lockdown catch up with Kelly Stewart
Kelly Stewart is a brilliant printmaker and illustrator based in Edinburgh. You can find out about Kelly and see more of her work here and find her on Instagram here
Thank you Kelly for speaking to us about how lockdown is going for you. Totally understand romanticising the notion of getting on a bus… It’s the simple things that we’re missing too.
Clearing out my collage drawer which turned into all of the drawers as so many papers were stuck down the back, I never give myself time to do these jobs ordinarily
Concertina cards from my Instagram card sale
What is helping you to get through lockdown?
First and foremost, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have a lovely cosy flat in Edinburgh’s old town that I can live and work in. I remind myself of that on a daily basis as I think gratitude is important especially now while we are in the thick of a pandemic.
I’m keeping busy full stop. I don’t watch the news. I’ve written a list of all the things I just never seem to have time to do. Much of that is reorganising and admin. It’s 2 pages long.
How are you coping?
I’m coping very well I would say. Occasionally I stop to think when I’m ever going to see my family in Australia again, but I try to shift my focus to more productive, positive thoughts. That 2-page ‘to do’ list seems to do the trick!
The first lot of cards I made up from folding 300 old exhibition invites that I had cluttering up my studio
I stitched inserts into some of the cards that were double sided, so a message could be written.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to many things but in particular, I dream of basking on a warm beach and diving into the sea. I’ve even romanticised the notion of standing on a packed bus! All sorts of things take on a new perspective these days :)
I made card ‘lots’ and sold them in packs
What are you missing?
I’m missing travel the most. I’m also missing simple things like brushing past a stranger without the thought of a viral infection. I watch films and look at the way people interact with each other and I realise it’s the simple things about people and relations that I miss the most. What will happen to the gestural handshake, for example?
How has your routine been impacted by lockdown?
My routine has been impacted to a degree. I worked from home for 3 or so days a week before anyway but on the other days I would be running errands or working at Edinburgh Printmakers studio, all of which require active travel and physical activity which kept me fit without ever needing a gym.
I’ve invested in a pair of headphones to entice me out of the flat on those cold, wet days just to ‘exercise’. I realise now how important regular exercise is for our wellbeing.
Has your work changed during the pandemic?
My work hasn’t necessarily changed but the way I’m using my time has.
I spent 25 days clearing out my studio for starters... and wow, I have so much more head space for it. I came across many test prints that I never knew what to do with and simply stored away. So, I started cutting them up and turning them into cards. I sold them on Instagram which not only gave me 3 days of card making indulgence (I would never have time for it), but it brought joy to those who bought them and furthermore to the recipients of the cards. Many buyers said they will frame them so that’s nice to hear people are appreciating them so much.
Instagram has played a huge part for me financially this year. I participated in the Artist support pledge during the first lockdown which proved successful while also being able to build up my own little collection of other artists work while in turn connecting with other artists and new clients on Instagram. It’s been a real highlight for me this year!
I’ve just started a mini print sale of all of my one-off little prints I’ve made over the years, of which I celebrated my 20th anniversary last year since moving to Scotland from Australia.
I’ve also just finished a mixed media artwork on the Old town in Edinburgh for the upcoming Royal Scottish Academy’s annual open exhibition. It’s online this year, of course but I feel it’s important to keep putting the work out there.
Royal Scottish Academy open exhibition entry