I live and work in London, and have done for 17 years or so, but I was born and raised in Manchester and my family are all still there. So, when a local community newspaper reached out about compiling a Pandemic special issue, I jumped at the chance of being included.
What has an art business got to do with the Covid pandemic, I hear you ask?! Well, my new business venture was an opportunity borne out of the pandemic because being in lockdown changed my situation and outlook. I had been working as a business change programme manager in the corporate world for many years and but was put on furlough for most of 2020. Although I had home-schooling and childcare during that period, I found I had more time to reignite my passion for art, and a clearer head to relax into it.
If the pandemic hadn't struck, I would have been in the same routine with the same work commitments, and I wouldn't have taken the chance on a new pace of life and a new direction. So, while there are many negative stories to come out of lockdown, mine is a positive one of opportunity, new starts and feeling inspired!