This week the concerns re the Coronavirus covid19 have really ramped up, with the closing of schools, bars, restaurants, gyms and shops. Social distancing, social isolation, empty shelves and queues to panic buy toilet rolls have become the new norm

I suspect it will get a lot worse before it gets better. I may even have to come out of retirement to assist the NHS effort to contain this pandemic ... quite daunting, but everyone has their part to play.

I have continued to use my art as a therapeutic diversion from the madness surrounding me. Firstly, a painting of a Scottish scene and then I got around to producing a pen and ink drawing of a Highland cow.

I have been meaning to do this for more than a year. Making pen and ink images from thousands of dots is rapidly becoming a favourite medium / style for me. These dots are literally stopping me from going dotty!

Tomorrow is my birthday and the second anniversary of my husband’s death. I will be spending it at home, having cancelled the family get together. Instead, I have made a birthday meal and will give my daughter and sister in law a carry out dinner and birthday cake, to avoid a close gathering.

We all have to try to reduce social contacts in these extraordinary times. What do I plan to do instead ... well, I have a commission to do three guinea pig pet portraits.? that should be quite a challenge!

I assume that at some point I may get a call from NHS colleagues ... a sort of call to arms. Earlier in the week an ex patient kindly contacted me to say they were thinking of me at this difficult time ... little did I know then that I may be returning in some capacity in the not too distant future!

I suspect many people may seek to unleash their inner artist as they attempt to fill the hours and hours spent at home in the coming months ... I can thoroughly recommend it

Stay safe everyone.

Rhona x