Creatives In Quarantine | Managing During the Pandemic

By now, you may have accepted things. At terms with your indefinite confinement, you’ve binged every show, perfected the Zoom meeting, and caught up with every friend you ever missed. The days flow unconsciously as we reminisce on times once filled with malls, happy hours, day parties and all the social happenings we took for granted.  

For some, this limited mobility can lead to sparks of creativity. Maybe the change of pace is exactly what you needed to clear your mind and you’ve turned into Kanye in the room. For others, being tethered to your couch may deprive you of the very inspiration needed to create. You may feel stagnant, and anxious.

I interviewed some creatives known for their moving and shaking to see how they’re faring during these weird times.  

ZANIB

Zanib is a gifted musician, multilingual vocalist, and violinist. She’s the kind of mover who’s in a different city every time you watch her story (She’s currently stuck in Saudi Arabia due to Lockdown & travel restrictions.) @Zanibmusic

What do you miss most about "outside"?

The freedom. The ability to go any place at any time without fear or high caution. The ability to connect and create with an energy that feels light and inspired. I miss sun kisses, people watching and participating in the everyday hustle. I miss the ocean and the endless liberation that it carries, and connecting through travel and exploration.

How have the “stay at home” orders affected you and your craft?

I felt like I was in creative quick sand with quarantine and feeling stuck with art in general. I was at a point where I didn't feel at all compelled and inspired to create. Now, I am using that experience to create and write more. I am a very extroverted active person so staying in one place is really hard for me and my restless nature. I love to travel and I do most of my writing on the airplane or places I feel inspired from the sights, culture and vibe. Being in one place (that isn't even home for that matter) has made it hard to get creative juices flowing. Learning to get out of my own way helped me break through the creative blocks. I just let go and let flow.

What is your normal creative process like? 

My normal creative process stems from an enlightening experience. The process varies depending on how things unfold. More often than not, when I get a great beat I put it on, press record and freestyle and see what comes out. I do about three takes of freestyles then listen back. I’ll pick out the melodies and parts I like then construct the hook and verses. Sometimes, when I’m with my band, we just jam live and then see what comes out. I am constantly writing so sometimes if a freestyle doesn't come to me right away I just reference something I wrote.

Have you taken up any new hobbies since quarantine?

I have dabbled a little with producing and playing around on a guitar but I wouldn't say they’re anything I’ve learned yet. I’ve been trying to advance my Arabic more so I’ve been spending more time listening, practicing, and learning. I guess you could say Tik Tok and Voisey have become a new thing. Tik Tok brings me back to my dance background and I gain inspiration from artists on Voisey.

What words of advice would you give to anyone who may feel creatively/mentally stagnant right now? 

I would say to anyone that is in that creative funk that I feel you, and you are most definitely not alone. If you aren't feeling like creating, don't force it. You are only going to the put that energy into what you are doing. Take time to reflect, reset, meditate, visualize, manifest, release, and strengthen your mind and soul for the future projects. While I was having writers block, I had to step away and find new sources of inspiration. I tried not to put too much pressure on myself to be constantly creating just because I am an artist and we have this free time. Artists need breaks too. Don't forget how human you are and it's okay to go through waves of doubt, questioning yourself, feeling disconnected and down. The most important thing is allowing time to feel all those things and coming back stronger from all of it. I take these as growing pains and we just need to heal and fill our souls and spirits with self love and affirmations when we are growing through it.

First thing you're doing when the all of this is officially over? 

Accomplish all the creative projects I am working on during this quarantine and celebrate as much as possible. I want to celebrate life with the people I have experienced the quarantine with in a way that is limitless. Create, connect, dance and vibe out with an epic ending to the quarantine saga. Oh and then get a plane ticket back to the US.

Lexi Russell

Currently a content strategist in New York, Lexi is a woman of many talents including drawing and dancing. @LexiShow

What do you miss most about "outside"?

Lol WHEW. I think I miss exploring the most. I moved to NYC summer 2018, and I love getting lost and exploring new parts of the city.

What is your normal creative process like?

I don't really have a normal creative process. Since we've had so much extra time, it's been hard finding motivation to create. But once I get out of my funk, I'll look through Pinterest or Google images to find the photo I want to recreate. Then I come up with a color scheme/aesthetic, and get to sketching. 

How have the “stay at home” orders affected you and your craft?

Well it has definitely given me more time to focus on my art and my craft, which I'm thankful for. I've even come up with some business plans to solidify what I want my brand to look like as I gain more clientele.

Have you taken up any new hobbies since quarantine?

Currently I'm really into TikTok lol. It's such a fascinating app.

What words of advice would you give to anyone who may feel mentally/creatively stagnant right now?

I would definitely tell them that it's okay to not feel motivated all the time. There's beauty in being still and not doing anything. But remember that every step you take whether it's a small sketch or a whole 6 foot painting, it's personal progress no matter what. So unfollow accounts on social media that bring negativity and follow design accounts, photographers, painters, etc. and that can help you find inspiration.

First thing you're doing when the all of this is officially over? 

I'm going to Disney Land!!!!.... Just kidding. Definitely gonna go to brunch with my girls lol.

Davy J

Davy J is the Founder/CEO of the ever-growing college media company The Lunch Table (TLT) Blog Show, he’s also a DJ, Event Coordinator and Marketing Consultant. With mass events a ways off, I was curious to see what he’d be up to. @DavyJTheVirgo.

What do you miss most about "outside"?

The ability to feel other human energy. The good and the bad.

How have the “stay at home” orders affected you and your craft?

It has definitely made it more difficult to create content. But on the flip side it has provided a lot more space for us to do more stuff on the back end. We’ve established more structure in our business and have the time to handle administrative tasks that would not have been handled yet. This has allowed us to come back stronger than ever before.

What words of advice would you give to anyone who may feel mentally/creatively stagnant right now?

Listen to motivational speakers on YouTube. Take more outdoor walks. Call and talk to other creatives.

First thing you're doing when the all of this is officially over? 

On The Border Happy Hour. Hitting it hard.

Myles Loftin

Myles is a Photographer, Director, Forbes 30under30 member and soon to be graduate of Parsons School of Design. In a world where the word “Influencer” is thrown around so freely, Myles’ work and vision has surely achieved him the proper title.

The following is transcribed from a Phone Interview.

What is your normal creative process like?

It depends on the project, for my most recent one my thesis, it was a lot of just observing people doing things. I’ll sit around in the background capturing little moments. Color is also is something I try to be aware of.

For something more orchestrated. I’ll go on Tumblr, or I’ll go look at old archival stuff to get inspiration. Like old pictures of black people and those old hair photos.

How have the “stay at home” orders affected you and your craft?

I feel like it’s making me more creative in a way. I feel like when you have restrictions and limitations it enhances what you can make.

I’ve also gotten some paid work which has been nice. Calvin Klein sent me some gear and asked me to record myself in doors.

I didn’t own a digital camera before, so now that I have one I’ve been trying to take more portraits.

Before the Quarantine, I did a shoot with Nike and it came out about 2 weeks into everything. I posted a group picture of people holding hands on Twitter and I got a call asking me to take it down because of social distancing. I didn’t think it would affect something like that.

What words of advice would you give to anyone may feel mentally/creatively stagnant right now?

I would say look to artists before us who have been in similar situations or made work in strange times and were still able to create beautiful things. Look at things that inspire you and make you happy. That’s what I’ve been trying to do.

Tiffaney Danielle

Tiffaney is a dancer, actress, and storyteller. Her dance rendition of the #BeforeILetGo Challenge gained national attention and a repost from Beyonce herself. @TiffaneyDanielle

What do you miss most about "outside"?

The freedom of being able to go out and discover new places. I'm always looking for places to potentially shoot at whether that be for a short film, monologue, dance video, or photoshoot. I also really miss meeting new people-- the social aspect and the inspiration.

How have the stay at home orders affected you and your craft?

Well, seeing as though I'm stuck in MD, and most of the work I do regarding my craft takes place in LA, a lot has changed. All production and auditions have been halted do to the quarantine, so that's the obvious change. At first I thought this would affect me negatively, but it's actually allowed me to spend more time working on my craft and has provided me with the time I needed to network. I've had a lot more time to write and explore myself creatively, so I guess you can say, my usual creative process has improved.

Have you taken up any new hobbies since quarantine?

I have definitely began working out and cooking more. I've also been meditating which has allowed me to reach a new level of awareness spiritually.

What words of advice would you give to someone who feels mentally/creatively stagnant in a time like this? *

My main advice would be to breathe and take a step back. You don't have to create during this time. This quarantine is providing all of us with the opportunity to do whatever we feel is necessary. Look at this time as a reset. Don't force anything that doesn't come naturally. You're a creative, you'll always find your way back.

First thing you're doing when the all of this is officially over? *

Thanking God! Then, I'm instantly booking a flight back to LA!