The Art of Staying Home, with Sara Pope

Firstly how are you feeling today?

Feeling good, healthy and well which is the main thing! Over the past week of lockdown I’ve been very much keeping connected with friends and family around the world, which is helping enormously to stay sane.

Tell us about your art and your studio.

My portraits of lips are colourful, super glossy and a little bit provocative. I’m fascinated by the mouth as a focal point for communication, and aesthetic expression through lipstick and colour. Before starting to paint, I had a career for many years in fashion and in magazines, which I think really plays into what I like to explore in my painting, as well as the aesthetic I aim to achieve. In my studio now, I have several new pieces in various stages of completion. Since the lockdown began, I haven’t been to my studio, so I’m missing painting a lot. Can’t wait to get back to it!

Do you normally work from home?

I split my time between home and my studio. My studio is where I get all my painting done. The space has a really joyful feeling with lots of natural light, so perfect for creating. At home I often plan my next works, whether organising a photoshoot, editing pics or playing around with ideas. There’s also lots of other stuff such as organising exhibitions, catching up with my galleries, and just general admin, that I do at home.

How has your day to day life changed since COVID-19?

My days are usually very active, moving around a lot, to my studio, or to London or elsewhere, so of course that has changed. I would usually paint most days also, but since avoiding my studio I’m getting other things done, working on a new project, planning new work, and just getting all the boring admin stuff sorted. As well as that, I’ve been catching up with family and friends, and also getting involved in other creative activities.

What are you doing creatively to stay calm and mindful?

One thing I’ve been doing is cooking sessions with a friend who is an amazing chef, using video chat. That’s been a lot of fun, I’ve learned loads!  Also I’m taking the opportunity of having extra free time, to redesign the front part of my flat. I did the bathroom recently and it was so satisfying to see a vision of a redesign transform into reality, now I’m excited to do the same with the lounge/kitchen. It’s good to have some creative projects to focus on. To stay calm and grounded I’ve started doing Wim Hof’s online course, which teaches various techniques for reducing stress centred around breathing and cold exposure. Also I’m continuing with my yoga classes which my teacher now gives live online.

Do you have any creative ideas for people to do at home?

There are so many things you can do. What are those creative projects on the sidelines that you never found time for? Or things you wanted to learn? Now’s the time to go for it! Also don’t be afraid to call on the expertise of a friend to help you. With video chat apps like Zoom and Whatsapp its easy and can be so much fun that way.

What do you think the world will have learned from this?

I think the planet is getting some much needed rest and recuperation right now. I wonder if we will be able to maintain some of that even after the situation resolves. Also during this crisis people have shown a willingness to pull together and help each other out. Let’s hope that mindset of care and kindness will live on.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Stay strong! There’s always positives to take from challenging situations. I think now is a good time to take a pause and appreciate all the things we do have, and revel in the beautiful, simple things in life.