Celebrating Creatives During A Pandemic
Quarantine Creatives, is a documentary series examining the day to day lives of artists during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
While photographing these creatives, I ask one question: “How has being a creative brought joy into your life during this pandemic?”
Chris Dietz (@cdsplace) 57. He/Him
Shirley Dietz 80. She/Her
Musicians
She’s been playing piano and organ for 73 years.
“It’s been a great escape and outlet for me through all this. The unknown was how much joy my music would bring to others. The comments, love, and support have been amazing, and humbling... It’s also given me pause to re-evaluate life moving forward... music needs to play a bigger part in what I do.”
Courtney Crump (@crumpyburns.art) 25. She/Her
Illustration, Writing & Book Binding
“Being a creative has helped me get out of my head and has helped alleviate my depression and anxiety. I am glad to have this time to build some new skills and also to come back to some old ones. I’m grateful to be able to work on my sketchbook and practicing bookbinding, which has become a new favorite pastime. Most of all, I’m glad to be writing again. I didn’t realize how much I missed my characters and their whole world. Writing about them has definitely helped improve my mood. I’m excited to get out of bed and get my coffee and go straight to my studio every day. It gives me focus.”
Emmalee Harris (@3mmalee4rt) 25. She/Her
Painting & Drawing
“I can express myself with art and it makes me feel a sense of accomplishment after I make something. It's my outlet when I don't know what to do with my feelings.”
Casey and Cheyenne Holeman (@theworldsopus) 22. She/Her
Historically Inspired Sewing & Digital Art
“Being a creative has helped us through the pandemic more than we could have anticipated. We are able to fully dedicate time to our hobbies. Historical sewing has been a life saver for us; to be able to create elaborate outfits that have meaning. There is no better feeling than seeing a project finally come together after days and days of work.”
Jenny Long (@jennifer_long) 23. She/Her
Photographer
“This extra time without paid photoshoots has really given me the opportunity to remind myself why I started photography in the first place. I've been able to run around and take photos of nature the same way I did when I got my first camera and its absolutely refreshing!”
Moira Rubino (@moiraanneartisan) 47. She/Her
Painting, Jewelry Making & Mixed Media
“Being a creative during this pandemic has allowed me to see new perspectives on the same experience.”
Catherine Grimaldi (@vogner2800) 27. She/Her
Crochet & Embroidery
“ I funnel my anxiety and stress into creating. Even if I'm following a pattern. If I wasn't creating I would've lost my mind, it keeps me calm.”
Araine Brown (@arainetjay) 25. He/Him
Painting & Drawing
“It gave me something to do and something to look forward to.”
Frank Saylor (@franksaylor) 25. He/Him.
Shannon Sims (@sshannonsimss) 24. She/Her.
Photographers
“Being creatives during this time has helped us find many ways to stay busy. We've focused on our photography by documenting how our neighborhood and families have reacted to Covid-19. Frank has used his time to work on his car which is a big passion for him. I've volunteered with Your A. O. K. Foundation making frozen meals for seniors and others in need, and have also made packaged lunches for kids through Kidz Meals on Wheels. We're all hurting to some degree during this time but that doesn’t mean we can't help others. As long as I am healthy I will use my photos and my voice to help people anyway I can, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.”
Jenn Wadsworth (@lunamom0403) 45. She/Her
Painting & Writing
“This pandemic has given me time to really reflect, appreciate and grieve. It helps to get my thoughts and feelings down on paper or canvas. I am grateful for this solitude.”
Jane Shea (@Artbyjaneshea) 19. She/Her
Painting & Clothing Design
“COVID-19 has impacted my business and art in a few different ways. Obviously everything is harder to get and more expensive so getting supplies can be pricy and honestly a little hard. Although that sucks, this time in quarantine has made me quite creative! I paint almost every day and yes, there are absolutely days where I hate my work and I need to take a break but then there are the moments where I LOVE my stuff and I feel amazing. It has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions but I’m keeping it together.”
Taylor Mushinski (@taylormushinski) 24. She/Her
Model & Baking Enthusiast
”Being creative has helped me manage stress and gives me a safe way to express my emotions. I've been baking a lot lately because it gives me something to do that brings joy to myself and others.”
Deb Pariah (@drsglass) 29. She/Her
Glassblower
“If there’s one thing this pandemic has given me, it’s time. Even though there is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about how things will play out, I find myself with more time than ever to think about my glassblowing. I’ve been planning my future for glassblowing and how I will pick back up again once things go back to normal.Oh yeah, and my dog is pretty stoked to have his mom around everyday!”
Alicia Stratten (@backyardfarmfood) 24. She/Her
Farming & Painting
“It’s made me realize how lucky I am to be a creative in my everyday life. From growing veggies seasonally and chemically free to raising all my little chickies by tending to them and the goats. Right now I have the special opportunity to decorate our new chicken coop known as ‘The Fluffy Butt Hut.’ Although it’s in its very beginning stages it’s so wonderful to take something from nothing and turn it into something beautiful. Garden huts and all!”
Megan Rutter (@mrsmeganrutter) 24. She/Her
Writer, Baker, Mixed Media
“The ability to constantly create during this stressful time has helped me stay sane. When I feel too weighed down by the state of the world, all I have to do is put down whatever is stressing me out and pick up one of the tools of my creation: a pen, a paintbrush, the next recipe I want to try, and it lets me hide from the world for a little. This has been especially stressful for me and my family because I'm going to be a momma any day now, and even though I can't see my family and my "essential" husband is working harder than ever, I'm still able to create paintings and other types of art to decorate the nursery and give my little one a beautiful space to grow even when we are unsure of how the outside world will look as they continue to grow. Art exists to give us a space to escape to when the world becomes too much, and this has only become more true during this pandemic.”
Jenna Dittman (@Jditt64) 27. She/Her
Singing & Photography
“Music unites us. It brings us joy, peace, excitement, memories and passion... even in times of sorrow, pain or fear we turn to music to guide us. No matter the language or genre, it makes an impact on a person. With photography, I love capturing that memory that will last a lifetime. “A picture is worth a thousand words” and well, I love to capture those pictures for those stories to be told in years to come!”