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21 days of lockdown
A Portrait series developed over 21 days coinciding with the first 21 days of lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic in Namibia in 2020.
It was created as a way of coping with the changes brought about through lockdown by exploring daily emotions and trying to find the silver lining in each day. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
See videos and interaction here.
REFRESHED: DAY 1
It’s incredible how much changing the space I work in changed how I felt about doing work! I’m refreshed! Also, I love all the lockdown challenges out there, be it fitness, bible challenges, cooking or creating. It’s great how we went through a “this is not real” phase, nearly died in the “panic! It’s the apocalypse” phase and now we’re in the “let’s make something great of this” phase.
Muse: @chezreyv
Muse: @chezreyv
BLESSED: DAY 2
Today we were inspired by Miss Namibia 2018’s touching story of bravery and “saving face” during her reign. Despite the backlash, her personal struggles and all she had to remain silent about, she continued to acknowledge how blessed she was. Through it all she stood strong and brave. It’s okay not to be okay. No matter what you are going through and what may seem to be wrong, remind yourself YOU ARE BLESSED. Take a moment to appreciate all the little things around you, inhale deep, exhale slow.
Muse: @selma_kamanya
Muse: @selma_kamanya
FOCUSED: DAY 3
If you’re a creative and your work isn’t coming out the way it should, try working on a different one or even doing something completely different like cleaning! What a great way to pass time right? It’s important to enjoy what you do so if you’re getting stressed or strained it’s time for that break. On the upside, you’re at home so your bed is right there, take a nap maybe and remember... remain FOCUSED.
Muse: @popzwilna_99
Muse: @popzwilna_99
SAFE: DAY 4
What does the word safe mean to you? After you’ve run it through your personality filter, what does it translate as? A room? A smell? A song? I struggled with what the word means to me personally for the longest time. It always felt like I was running from something. A few years ago, I was standing on the rooftop of a really tall building when I was pulled into an unexpected embrace. Suddenly I felt a calmness sweep over my body, a peace and a knowledge that I could face anything if I didn’t have to do it alone. Now I’m lucky enough to have him chase away my demons every single night and to hold me whenever I struggle to face the day. My safe place is now my forever best friend.
Muse: @vintage_gline
Muse: @vintage_gline
TRANQUIL: DAY 5
Before everyone is awake, it’s just you and the birds. I live in the center of town but at dawn I feel like I’m on a farm or a sanctuary on some island. Tranquil has found a whole new meaning for me today. I don’t feel any sort of pressure and I gladly share my balcony with the little birds that come to greet me while I work. We also ordered in so I didn’t have to cook anything... maybe that’s why I feel peaceful! It’s crazy how house chores can take over so much that you feel like that’s your sole purpose in life. What have you enjoyed most so far about staying at home? Are you learning to adapt? Who else feels they could be a full-time couch potato?
Muse: @serena_politano
Muse: @serena_politano
COMPASSIONATE: DAY 6
Today’s sketch was prompted by compassion towards our continent and our planet and how this lockdown period in whichever country you are, may not be a relaxing time or a refreshing time for everyone. There are people who live hand to mouth, day to day. There are some who are dealing with depression and it gets worse when they are alone. To add to that, there are people dealing with emotional, physical or mental abuse at home. My love and prayers to anyone that may be in a hard situation right now, it’ll be over soon.
Muse: @karinafmatos
Muse: @karinafmatos
DEDICATION: DAY 7
We’ve made it one week! One minute I feel like the day has 34 hours and the next it barely has 12. It comforts me to know that we have completed one FULL week of sketches. It shows that with dedication, anything is possible! Do you struggle to draw men’s fades? Check out the video on Instagram on how I drew this one.
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Muse: @ekko_v ⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Muse: @ekko_v ⠀⠀⠀⠀
AWE: DAY 8
I’m in awe at how much positivity has sprung from this challenge. There are many scary and sad things going on all over the world at the moment but it’s important to know that we are together in this. Your feedback has been overwhelming in the most amazing way! I truly am inspired by all the artists that have taken this on and by the messages and connection I’ve had through this. Also, have you noticed how magical clean laundry feels (and smells). Who knew you still had to do laundry even if you have nowhere to go.
Muse: @krissmaxi
Photographer: @islandboiphotography
Muse: @krissmaxi
Photographer: @islandboiphotography
SERENE: DAY 9
How peaceful are Sundays! What are your reset and restart routines as you prepare for full throttle Mondays? It’s been quite frustrating to see that many people are still not taking social distancing seriously and are still out and about. But Sundays, Sundays are quiet. They are the day of rest. The day of serenity. The day of peace.
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I played around with a camera today again for the first time in a while and it was nice having a mini photo shoot in the empty street by our flat. It made me realize how much I missed photography. When’s the last time you pulled out that old chess set or sewing machine? Is it time to revive those old hobbies and skills? Is it time to try your hand at new ones? It’s Monday tomorrow, go on, give it a try!
Muse: @nyane
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I played around with a camera today again for the first time in a while and it was nice having a mini photo shoot in the empty street by our flat. It made me realize how much I missed photography. When’s the last time you pulled out that old chess set or sewing machine? Is it time to revive those old hobbies and skills? Is it time to try your hand at new ones? It’s Monday tomorrow, go on, give it a try!
Muse: @nyane
EXHAUSTED: DAY 10
Are you tired? It’s okay. Do you feel like you need a break? That’s okay too. Rest is necessary for your creative mind. You need time to recover from everything and take a few deep breaths before you get back into it. Don’t feel guilty, embrace that bed and those fluffy pillows. Read a book or just have a good nap!
We are about halfway through! How crazy is that! Already I feel sad that it’s coming to an end. The good news is I have had such great conversations and inspirations during this process that I’m excited to see what will be next!
Muse: @brianhwhittaker
We are about halfway through! How crazy is that! Already I feel sad that it’s coming to an end. The good news is I have had such great conversations and inspirations during this process that I’m excited to see what will be next!
Muse: @brianhwhittaker
RESILIENT: DAY 11
Last night there was a fly in my room. It felt as though its sole purpose was to rein terror (and much irritation) over my life. I tried to spray it with insect killer and threw a couple of pillows at it. I even called in the cavalry. But that fly kept coming back, stronger than ever. When I stopped attacking it, the room grew silent and it was gone. Finally, I could get out of bed and live my life happier than before.
Covid-19 feels a lot like a resilient fly. It just keeps coming back seemingly stronger every time. How are we called to respond? Stay home. Lay low. Eventually, it’ll go away. And when it does, you’ll be rested, you’ll be calm, you’ll be stronger than before. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
You stumbled? Okay. You messed up? Okay. It’s okay if you fell down, soon you’ll get back up again. Soon you’ll be stronger and wiser and the world will not be ready. and less clumsy. You’ve got this!
Muse: @theacaciamcbride
Covid-19 feels a lot like a resilient fly. It just keeps coming back seemingly stronger every time. How are we called to respond? Stay home. Lay low. Eventually, it’ll go away. And when it does, you’ll be rested, you’ll be calm, you’ll be stronger than before. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
You stumbled? Okay. You messed up? Okay. It’s okay if you fell down, soon you’ll get back up again. Soon you’ll be stronger and wiser and the world will not be ready. and less clumsy. You’ve got this!
Muse: @theacaciamcbride
PEACEFUL: DAY 12
This Challenge has been such a reflective time for me. Analyzing what’s happening in the world and trying to make sense of it all. I had an eerie grocery run the other day. Only one member per household is allowed to enter the store. No kids. One trolley. 1 meter apart. Wait your turn. It felt like some crazy horror film that I didn’t audition for. The store was silent as I walked around pushing my trolley. All that was heard was the sound of lose wheels or the occasional bumping into aisles as everyone is so jumpy. An assortment of shoppers wearing masks and gloves. You can tell they want to be friendly and say hello, but they also don’t want to get too close. So, we don’t make eye contact and we mind our business. On my drive home I was filled with a sense of peace. The roads were clear save for the occasional jogger or jogging couple, 1 meter apart. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It should have been as eerie and as scary as the store, but it felt so peaceful. Not one for crowded areas, I felt like I was on the open road on the highway to my next adventure. Just me, my music and nature. Who knew you could feel this way in the middle of a city in the middle of a work week? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I know you might be going through a range of emotions. More bipolar than you’ve ever been. One second, you’re freaking out about the end of the world and the next you’re celebrating that you can lounge around on your couch in your underwear all day. From “worst day of my life” to “BEST DAY EVER!”
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I encourage you to try and look at the positives in whatever you might be going through.
Muse: @shar.tutu
It should have been as eerie and as scary as the store, but it felt so peaceful. Not one for crowded areas, I felt like I was on the open road on the highway to my next adventure. Just me, my music and nature. Who knew you could feel this way in the middle of a city in the middle of a work week? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I know you might be going through a range of emotions. More bipolar than you’ve ever been. One second, you’re freaking out about the end of the world and the next you’re celebrating that you can lounge around on your couch in your underwear all day. From “worst day of my life” to “BEST DAY EVER!”
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I encourage you to try and look at the positives in whatever you might be going through.
Muse: @shar.tutu
HOPEFUL: DAY 13
Happy Good FRIDAY! If ever there was a time to be hopeful it’s this weekend. God’s perfect sacrifice. His reminder of his greatest love and the extent of his love for us.
I hope you are as happy and at peace on this precious day. We understand we are in unprecedented times but we are glad because we are loved and that is as good a reason as any to spread joy, peace and love to those around us.
Send a message to a loved one. Remind that friend you’re thinking of them. Hug your family. Send virtual hugs to your friends and family you cannot be with. You are not alone and soon this too shall be over. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Muse: @ingoshanyenge
I hope you are as happy and at peace on this precious day. We understand we are in unprecedented times but we are glad because we are loved and that is as good a reason as any to spread joy, peace and love to those around us.
Send a message to a loved one. Remind that friend you’re thinking of them. Hug your family. Send virtual hugs to your friends and family you cannot be with. You are not alone and soon this too shall be over. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Muse: @ingoshanyenge
WORTHY: DAY 14
You have V A L U E. You are L O V E D. You are F O R G I V E N. How wonderful is it to know God thinks all these things of us! I hope your Easter weekend is going well, filled with hope, love and worth
Have you taken some time to say thank you? Thank you for this peace, for this time of compassion and solitude. This time of quiet and calm. H E knows what we need. H E knows how to fix all our problems. H E is reminding us of his immense and great power.
Stay home. Stay safe. Stay Blessed.
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DAY 14: Worthy
Muse: @p.n.hoover
Original photography by @old_orleans
Have you taken some time to say thank you? Thank you for this peace, for this time of compassion and solitude. This time of quiet and calm. H E knows what we need. H E knows how to fix all our problems. H E is reminding us of his immense and great power.
Stay home. Stay safe. Stay Blessed.
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DAY 14: Worthy
Muse: @p.n.hoover
Original photography by @old_orleans
RENEWED: DAY 15
How perfectly emotional was this weekend? What a wonderful journey of emotions and love and peace. Anyone else feeling renewed? Restored? Feeling like they can tackle another week?
This worldwide pandemic had me feeling very helpless and afraid in the beginning. When we were first informed about the lockdown, I was nervous. I have had my good days and my bad days through it but joy always wins. We are facing week number 3 here in Namibia. How many days have you been under lockdown? Isolation? Social Distancing? It gets easier right? It gets better.
Were you afraid last week? This week will be different! Were you worried or anxious? This week will be better! Were you bored or stressed? This week you are R E N E W E D !
Take that weapon and use it to fight your daily battles. You’ve got this! We’ve got this!
Muse: @theg70
This worldwide pandemic had me feeling very helpless and afraid in the beginning. When we were first informed about the lockdown, I was nervous. I have had my good days and my bad days through it but joy always wins. We are facing week number 3 here in Namibia. How many days have you been under lockdown? Isolation? Social Distancing? It gets easier right? It gets better.
Were you afraid last week? This week will be different! Were you worried or anxious? This week will be better! Were you bored or stressed? This week you are R E N E W E D !
Take that weapon and use it to fight your daily battles. You’ve got this! We’ve got this!
Muse: @theg70
LIBERATED: DAY 16
There are so many ways to feel free even when you’re trapped indoors. Open the windows, walk around in your underwear, don’t put on makeup, let your hair lose, read a book or eat your dessert before your dinner (don’t kill me healthy people).
I’ve felt a great freedom in my work since I began this 21-day journey. I feel less afraid to tackle hard faces or difficult angles. It’s amazing what practice can do for you. If you haven’t tried a 21-day challenge to improve yourself, try it out!
Muse: @touuraya
I’ve felt a great freedom in my work since I began this 21-day journey. I feel less afraid to tackle hard faces or difficult angles. It’s amazing what practice can do for you. If you haven’t tried a 21-day challenge to improve yourself, try it out!
Muse: @touuraya
CONTENT: DAY 17
We just heard news from the government on the extension of the lockdown for 21 more days today. This had me feeling all sorts of ways. Then I got to thinking of everyone whose been isolated for more days than us. Some are looking around the fifties and counting. Therefore, I am content.
I am content with the state of affairs at the moment and where we must be right now. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It is true, loneliness is settling in, stronger now than before. Access to services and supplies other than food is limited which means our art supplies are running low, but still we remain content. Sometimes you need to have things taken away from you to see what magic you can create with the little you have.
Muse: @gracenfor
Original photography by @tupaczakur
I am content with the state of affairs at the moment and where we must be right now. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It is true, loneliness is settling in, stronger now than before. Access to services and supplies other than food is limited which means our art supplies are running low, but still we remain content. Sometimes you need to have things taken away from you to see what magic you can create with the little you have.
Muse: @gracenfor
Original photography by @tupaczakur
GRATEFUL: DAY 18
I’m so thankful to my support group. My friends, my family, my artist community. You guys are too amazing! It’s so wonderful for me to see some of you who’ve supported me from the beginning are still here. Thank you for sticking around and still urging me to carry on!
On days like today I feel overwhelmed by work or commitments that I just want to curl up in a ball and fall asleep. But having people believe in you and what you do is one of the best motivators to keep going. I am stronger because of you.
Muse: @kubilwa_katukula
Original photography by @derrickmaniecaphotography_
On days like today I feel overwhelmed by work or commitments that I just want to curl up in a ball and fall asleep. But having people believe in you and what you do is one of the best motivators to keep going. I am stronger because of you.
Muse: @kubilwa_katukula
Original photography by @derrickmaniecaphotography_
CALM: DAY 19
Don’t you love that relaxed feeling post chaos? Knowing that it’s over, that you finally have some peace and some quiet?
Loved doing this artwork too! Each step of this drawing was therapy. I also got to play MUA to my beautiful muse, even if only on paper. Do check out my work in progress videos if you haven’t yet, they show some of my step-by-step processes and techniques that you could try out as well! Let me know if they’re helpful!
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Muse: @briniquegibson
Loved doing this artwork too! Each step of this drawing was therapy. I also got to play MUA to my beautiful muse, even if only on paper. Do check out my work in progress videos if you haven’t yet, they show some of my step-by-step processes and techniques that you could try out as well! Let me know if they’re helpful!
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Muse: @briniquegibson
DARING: DAY 20
There’s a lot to be afraid of out there. The things we cannot control. But there is also a lot of fear within ourselves that follows us wherever we may be hiding. It happens to all of us! With artists, one minute we are creating a masterpiece and the next we’ve forgotten how to hold a pencil (or brush!)
Sometimes we get so caught up in routine that we don’t try anything out of our comfort zone. Maybe our excise is “that’s not my style” or “I don’t want to be known for that”. True, style and identity are important as an artist, but most of the time it’s because we are afraid.
I was challenged to draw dreadlocks. I laughed it off and said yeah sure. Knowing well that I didn’t intend to. At least not during this challenge. But the more I thought about it the more it haunted me. I was trying to inspire creativity and bravery and joy through this challenge. Overcoming fears should definitely be a part of it.
Muse: @o.g.smoketho
Sometimes we get so caught up in routine that we don’t try anything out of our comfort zone. Maybe our excise is “that’s not my style” or “I don’t want to be known for that”. True, style and identity are important as an artist, but most of the time it’s because we are afraid.
I was challenged to draw dreadlocks. I laughed it off and said yeah sure. Knowing well that I didn’t intend to. At least not during this challenge. But the more I thought about it the more it haunted me. I was trying to inspire creativity and bravery and joy through this challenge. Overcoming fears should definitely be a part of it.
Muse: @o.g.smoketho
I am a woman
A portrait series combining charcoal and acrylic paint on canvas depicting various women surrounded by florals.
The collective comprises of four pieces “I am confident”, “I am passionate”, “I am brave” and “I am free”. They symbolize her journey from adolescence into adulthood and her exploration of what it means to be a woman. Having faced various pressures and struggles life has to offer (loss, loneliness, fear, inadequateness and most recently the instability of always being on the move) she has come to learn through these struggles that a young woman might face, especially in trying to introduce themselves to the already established world, they must remember that they are confident, they are passionate, they are brave and they are free and the world is just going to have to accept it.
Read more here.
Project Nam
A Portrait Series exploring the impact of Namibian celebrities and social media influencers.
Read about it here.
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