After a global pandemic eliminated almost all opportunities for sports, recreation and socializing, George Brown College (GBC) students were left with a lot of free time on their hands. And though a difficult switch to remote learning took up a lot of their time, many found a new way to cope with COVID-19’s isolation: art.
With COVID-19 cases rising, some students realize how beneficial something as simple as painting or illustrating can be for their mental health.
John Barron, a second-year Game Design student at GBC, was one of the students who decided to pick up an artistic hobby during the quarantine. Though he enjoyed making illustrations before the pandemic, he says he’s been creating even more new masterpieces since the lockdown started.
“Art was always there for me,” said Barron. “But what got me into making more art during the pandemic was due to the lockdown, and there were a lot of stay-at-home emergency orders.”
After revisiting some of his old drawings, Barron decided to experiment with new styles including 2D illustration and 3D modelling. Although he sketched and shaded different types of characters in his notebook, he also spent a fair share of time on various vector and motion graphics software.
“Since I took [3D modelling] during my first year in college, I’ve been trying to build more 3D characters and use them for animation,” said Barron.
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Barron’s passion for animation stems from his interest in media and popular culture. As a Marvel fan, he bases his work off of his favourite movie characters. Barron also says that games have also influenced his artistic style since his childhood.
“I’m inspired by what I see on Twitch or Star Wars,” said Barron. “I’ve been drawing these characters as a child since I grew up watching a lot of movies and listening to music.”
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Saori Kagawashi, a Japanese international student in the Interaction Design program, has experimented with both digital and analog mediums, and says that she has been drawing digitally since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“I do digital art as a business and hobby nowadays,” said Kagawashi. “My inspiration usually stems from YouTubers who also draw from their iPads.”
Kagawashi started drawing more everyday, using an iPad app called Procreate. One of her favourite digital art pieces is a smiling coffee cup.
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Kagawashi says she is inspired by different colours and everyday objects. She describes her style as “friendly and catchy”.
“Digital drawing is easier to share with everybody,” said Kagawashi.
Despite Kagawashi and Barron’s preferences in digital art, some students have also become more fascinated with sketching and painting. Natasha Zuniga-Contreras, a second-year Fashion Management student at GBC, has been hand drawing and designing garment croquis after the pandemic began.
“I don’t have a favourite style,” said Zuniga-Contreras, “But I do take inspiration from Van Gogh and Monet.”
Zuniga-Contreras prefers avant-garde, abstract, and surrealist art, citing Gustav Klimt’s The Flint as one of her favourite paintings.
“I’m in another world whenever I paint or draw,” said Zuniga-Contreras. “Art feels similar to another universe.”
Research proves the benefits of creating and learning art among students. According to Walden University, “art education teaches students to observe the world more closely.” But according to Barron, art is more than imagination, resiliency, and stories.
“I think for me, art has no limits,” said Barron. “[Art means] full creative control, art can be interpreted by anyone and can be whatever you like it to be.”
Kagawashi mainly creates art as a result of expressing her thoughts during challenging time periods, and she hopes to continue drawing as a cure to the ongoing stress. Zuniga-Contreras, on the other hand, combines both aspects and adds an emotional touch to her work.
“I love to express my emotions and my thoughts in paintings,” said Zuniga-Contreras. “I love creating a picture that pops in my brain.”
