A glimmer of light….
Finally, there seems to be a glimmer of light at the end of this very gloomy tunnel we have been travelling through.
Those of us that have creative work or hobbies and have been able to get on with things over the past year have been very lucky (even though all materials have to be ordered on-line rather than spending hours enjoying the stimulating environment of art shops and other suppliers), sadly though, not so my acting, singing and dancing friends or those working in theatre management and the hospitality industry. Many have fared very badly and have had a terrible time.
Talking to friends, I think many people have used the time well and have finally tried out some of those creative ideas they have wanted to ’have a go at’ for some time…..
by Tano Rea
Hi All,
I hope you are all keeping safe and well.
Finally, there seems to be a glimmer of light at the end of this very gloomy tunnel we have been travelling through. I hope by now, most of my older followers will have had their first vaccine shot and the younger ones will have it within a couple of months.
Those of us that have creative work or hobbies and have been able to get on with things over the past year have been very lucky (even though all materials have to be ordered on-line rather than spending hours enjoying the stimulating environment of art shops and other suppliers), sadly though, not so my acting, singing and dancing friends or those working in theatre management and the hospitality industry. Many have fared very badly and have had a terrible time. Of course, we must also reflect on the huge number of those poor people who have lost their lives or have been left with long-term problems from this hideous virus.
“many people have used the time well and have finally tried out some of those creative ideas”
Talking to friends, I think many people have used the time well and have finally tried out some of those creative ideas they have wanted to ’have a go at’ for some time. Maybe they started writing that book, chasing up their ancestral history or tried drawing, painting or even sculpture. The internet has been a blessing and a curse but mainly a blessing as there are literally hundreds of tuition programmes on-line which in most cases are very inexpensive if not free. If you haven’t started yet, give it a go. There really is something for everyone, whatever level of skill you have. The current lock-down has actually been a busy time for me personally. I have painted 3 new, fairly large pieces; Summer Rain, Fantasy Wave and Autumn Storm which you can see below and are now showing on my website.
In the next couple of weeks, I will be presenting 4 paintings that represent coming out of the darkness of this past year. Each painting will represent a season, and they can be displayed as a set or individually. At the start of April, you will see some of my costume designs which I created a few years ago for ‘The Great Big Gilbert and Sullivan Show’. If you know any of the Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas (The Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore etc.) I’m sure you will appreciate the designs. My problem here has been that all my regular framers are closed so I may offer them mounted but not framed. This will be reflected in the price. If you are a Gilbert and Sullivan fan, watch this space.
Finally for now, I am delighted that the next ‘guest artist’ to feature on the site is my brother Mark Rea. www.markreaphotography.com. He is an international photographer and has offered six of his photographs, which we are currently having made into another set of beautiful cards. The subjects range from The Royal Pavilion Brighton - in the snow, to a wonderful sculpture of a mask he photographed in Old Warsaw. Look out for them in the next couple of weeks. Take care and take it easy over the next few weeks. We don’t ever want to go back to the bleak times we have just been through. I’ll report back to you next month.
All good wishes,
Tano
A pre-Christmas Chat
The toll on the arts industry is huge as a result of the COVID19 pandemic. And for the many actors, musicians, and artists who do not qualify for government furlough payments, the psychological impact can be enormous. It's very difficult to be creative under those circumstances.
So as we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome the arrival of a vaccine, my message is to support an artist. By Tano Rea.
Hi Everyone,
I hope you are fit and well. I thought it was time I put a few more thoughts down about the past few months and about the year ahead.
I feel sure everyone will agree that 2020 has been one of, if not the, most difficult years we have lived through. Everyone has been touched in some way by the pandemic. Many have had to forfeit seeing their nearest and dearest for many months, many have had to isolate without daily contact from friends and relatives and many have fallen through the government’s safety net and missed out on much needed financial support.
“I want to shine a light on those working in the performing arts and hospitality industry”
The great news today is the arrival of the vaccine and the prospect of us all being able to return to something like normal life (hopefully), by next summer. In this little blog I want to shine a light on those working in the performing arts and hospitality industry who have been badly affected over the past months. I don’t just mean financially but also emotionally.
If you have read my short biography on the site, you will know that I have worked in the arts all my life and even now (alongside my art work), I work as one of the Front of House Supervisors for English National Opera at The London Coliseum in central London. It’s a fantastic job and it’s really just an excuse to see lots of wonderful performances without having to pay for a ticket….lol
When the first lockdown was introduced we were in the middle of the opera season which included ENO’s magical production of ‘Madam Butterfly’ directed by the late Anthony Minghella, our new production of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ had just opened and the new production of ‘Rusalka’ was about to open. Then nothing.
Singers spend many months learning and perfecting a role. Chorus members rehearse endlessly so that every word is beautifully ‘in the voice’ and ‘from memory’.
Orchestral players the same. A performance in any theatre, opera house or concert hall also involves hundreds of staff: wardrobe staff, stage management and crew, front of house staff and an extensive management and creative team.
Yes, some furlough payments were gratefully received by some performers in the UK (ENO was lucky) but many working in smaller venues or ‘resting’ did not qualify and have had to manage without any payment whatsoever. It’s very hard to be creative under those circumstances – you still need to keep your voice and body in good nick ready for the return but when classes, workshops and all rehearsals stop it takes a huge toll both mentally and physically.
Then there are the theatre bar and restaurant staff, many of those who work in theatres to pay the rent are wonderful budding performers. The lockdown will also close many great restaurants, bars and coffee bars. Sadly, many may never open again leaving thousands unemployed. The toll is huge and very sad.
“The toll is huge and very sad”
Painters and sculptors are perhaps a little more used to working on their own. The only thing that will become even more difficult for them is selling their work given that the pandemic has brought out the artist in many people (just look at the number of artists displaying their work on-line) and that there will inevitably be less disposable income about over the coming years.
So, firstly, if you know a performer, check on them, make sure they are coping ok. Secondly, when we can go back, support as much live theatre as you possibly can. It’s going to take a long time to build up audiences again to the pre-covid levels but, with a great effort we can get back to some sort of normality.
So my request is simple - support the wonderful world of theatre, music and dance.
NEW GREETING CARDS
Re:- Gallery Gaetano – last week I brought out a series of beautiful greeting cards. Each card is taken from one of my paintings and it would be great to have your custom and your feedback.
Be safe and well and have a very happy Christmas and a great 2021.
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Lockdown – Random Thoughts
However, the lockdown has generated a few glimmers of creative light. There are now many exhibitions, musicals, plays, concerts, operas and solo performances on-line and you will also find countless artists exhibiting their work on websites such as this one. Just search for art venues, theatres, concert halls and galleries to see what is on offer.
Over the past six months we have lived through a terrible time in our history. The problem has been worldwide yet also very personal. Daily we see that many are having to cope with very distressing situations with little respite on the horizon.
As we go into the dark winter months and the possibility of further lockdowns, the future is even less certain. We have an inevitable recession looming leading to many job losses, housing and money problems, mental and physical health problems as well as the fear of Covid-19 itself which, despite ‘ramping up’ the test and trace programme, is still with us.
The arts have been one of the hardest hit sectors over the past months with very little financial help from The Chancellor and even less chance of restarting in the near future. Yet, without the arts there are no films, television, books, artworks, dance or music. In fact, none of the things that have helped sustain many of us through this distressing time.
There are no concerts, festivals or touring productions scheduled until 2021 and if they don’t happen next year, they may never happen again. No Glastonbury, no ballet, no opera, no west-end shows or plays - all gone.
However, the lockdown has generated a few glimmers of creative light. There are now many exhibitions, musicals, plays, concerts, operas and solo performances on-line and you will also find countless artists exhibiting their work on websites such as this one. Just search for art venues, theatres, concert halls and galleries to see what is on offer.
Art, especially drawing and painting, is a wonderful escape. Why not pick up a pencil and piece of paper and start drawing? It really doesn’t matter if you have never drawn before and think you have no talent in that direction. Simply draw what is in front of you such as a mug or a plant pot or even the coffee table. It doesn’t have to be a Michael Angelo or a Da Vinci but it will take you to a different place for a time and it will definitely make you feel better about the world. Once you have started who knows where or what it will lead to.
Tano