The last week saw me closeted (in a socially distanced manner, of course) with the fine folks of a major British Airline for their biennial Safety Audit. It certainly brings home the effect of the Covid situation to see how large organisations have had to modify their operations to cope. A smaller fleet, hundreds of redundancies and a virtually empty headquarters emphasise the depredations caused by the Covid crisis. It certainly spotlights the effect that the last year and a bit have had on the travel industry. I'm sure that you all have examples of how things have changed in your own industries as well. It makes me wonder just how much of an economic recovery is going to take place once the restrictions ease here in the UK later this spring. There will very likely be a long term effect felt in the art world, especially for working artists, who depend on commissions and exhibitions for their living. I've already seen some evidence that sales of Limited Edition Prints of Aviation Art are down from previous years. Even in 2019, art sales in the largest markets, China, the US and UK were in decline, particularly in the big galleries and auction houses.
Aviation art, being a niche genre, is especially vulnerable to the slings and arrows of Covid fortune. Live shows and exhibitions have been put on hold and transferred to online activities. The Guild of Aviation Artists cancelled the 2020 annual exhibition and also the 2021 live exhibition in London. The virtual show in the autumn of 2020 garnered a reasonable amount of interest, but fewer sales than a live exhibition would have. With considerably more advance notice, I hope that the 2021 Annual, an online event, will attract more viewers internationally, and hopefully more sales. In one respect, a virtual exhibition is not a bad thing in the sense that literally millions of lovers of aviation art can examine the stunning display of talent that the GAvA annual presents. With any luck, some outdoor and indoor exhibitions will be possible after the restrictions lift (fingers crossed) on 21 June here in the UK. In the meantime you can go here to see the Guild's 2020 online exhibition, which will give you an idea of what the 2021 version will look like:
As far as my own work goes, I now have a month of respite before my next "day job" assignment, so can get down to working on the painting for Tangmere Museum. I've taken into account what the museum wants and starting to block in areas and such. Probably will change a few things as the work progresses, but for me, that's half the fun.
Don't forget to cruise through all the great Aviation Art videos videos and tutorials available on YouTube. Here are some that should whet your appetite:
Mark Postlethwaite GAvA has several work in progress videos available. This one is one of a trio and illustrates the steps in painting Messerschmitts in the Battle of Britain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIc9UHlzXow
More of Mark's tutorials and works in progress can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mark+postlethwaite+artist
Russell Smith also has some great tutorials and tips here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCBGHUaVaqNuMWjT7YeOTxw
As far as online lectures and talks go, there are still good opportunities to take in some interesting info:
Stella Grace Lyons continues her series of art history lectures and talks with an upcoming look at Matisse: https://www.facebook.com/events/139688554736908
as well as one one Berthe Morisot: the forgotten impressionist, here: https://www.facebook.com/events/506556467015114
The National Gallery has some online events too:
The RA is due to open again on 18 May when Lockdown restrictions are lifted. The Summer exhibition is coming up as well. In the meantime, there is their online sketch club if you want to have a look. It runs from 8 may - 26 June. If you think you might be interested, details are here: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/event/saturday-sketch-club
I’m sure all of us hope that this next release from lockdown is the real thing and we can get back to some semblance of normal. Keep safe and carry on.