Hi I’m Gina and I share nature-infused inspiration, from art to travel. You can also check out my art portfolio on my website, where we can connect and collaborate.
I’ve been thinking about how the pandemic was a time of uncertainty and loneliness for me. I'm not sure if it was the same for you, but I found myself feeling disconnected from the world and like my life was on hold. Now that things have returned to normal, I'm starting to rediscover the joy of real-life interactions and the power of meeting new people and talking about the things we love. It's not just about going to see new exhibitions and visiting museums, but about finding community and inspiration.
Are Online Connections Enough?
I’ve been working on my own for 7 years now, and while I love the freedom and flexibility it offers, I’ve also come to realise that online interactions cannot replace face-to-face connections. We humans are social creatures, and we need real-world interactions to feel connected and fulfilled. Even though I have plenty of online friendships, they can’t replace the feeling of truly connecting with someone in person.
In a world where we're increasingly connected online, it's easy to feel lonely. This was especially true during the pandemic, when many people felt isolated and disconnected from their loved ones and from day to day ordinary interactions. Studies have found that social isolation can lead to all sorts of mental health issues, like anxiety and depression. This is because in-person interactions offer something that screens never can: a feeling of true connection and belonging.
We all need to be loved and accepted, to feel like we belong. Without that sense of belonging, we can't truly feel like ourselves, or like we matter. Connecting with people who understand us can make all the difference, helping us feel safe and giving us the courage to try new things and grow.
Balancing creativity and isolation working from home
Many artists work in home studios because this gives us the space to explore our ideas and bring our creations to life. Having our own space gives us the ability to focus and concentrate, which is critical to the creative process. Creativity is best achieved in a space free from distractions - with one or two cats -, where we can fully immerse ourselves in the task at hand.
While working from home can lead to exciting and rewarding creative opportunities, it can also be a double-edged sword. Without the company of others, it can be easy to become lost in our own thoughts, and negative self-talk and feelings of isolation can creep in. Social media can magnify these feelings, when we end up comparing our work and our life with the shiny, curated version people share on instagram, often resulting in feelings of inadequacy.
While social media can be an important tool for artists to share our work, it's important to be mindful of how it affects our mental health.
Taking a break from the screen and rediscovering the joy of live experiences
Sometimes it's hard to put yourself out there and meet new people, especially if you spend your days hiding behind a screen - trust me, I know the feeling. But it can also be really rewarding. You get to learn new things, see new perspectives, and stretch your creative muscles. In-person experiences are really valuable, because you get to try things out for yourself with your very own hands, and you get real-time feedback that you can use to improve.
There's something truly magical about connecting with like-minded people in person. It can open your mind to new ways of thinking that you might not have considered before. Sometimes we get so caught up in the way we do things that we don't take the time to really consider why we do things a certain way, or whether there's a better option. Talking to others who share our interests can help us step back and gain that perspective.
In fact, as the saying goes, we must first learn to think differently before we can change our ways of being.
For me it's always exciting to connect with others who share my passion for art, nature and travel, whether that’s talking about our favourite books or geeking out over art supplies.
Now that the pandemic is behind us, it's become clear just how important real-life interactions are. Those personal connections are an essential part of what fuels our passion for creativity. It's the shared experiences, the excitement of talking to others who get the things we love, and the joy of discovering what makes us unique. It's an incredible feeling that just can't be replicated online.
There's something truly special about connecting with others in person, and we can't underestimate the power of these relationships.
THINGS I’M LOVING
I'm currently reading 'Atlas of the Heart' by Brené Brown, and I'm enjoying it. The book explains all the range of emotions and feelings we have, to improve our relationships with ourselves and others. It’s all backed by science and research which is how I like it!
I’ve been doing tiny gouache paintings on my nails. It’s fun to experiment and I love how my nails look. The only issue is that I’m not as good painting with my left hand and the designs on my right nails look a little shaky if you look too closely. You can see a time-lapse of my latest design on my insta!
ITALY, ART,NATURE & YOU.
What if you could get away from the stress of everyday life and focus on your creativity?
Join me in spring 2024 in Puglia, Italy for a week-long unforgettable experience, connecting with nature through painting.
We’ll explore the beauty of botanical and decorative art and you will feel relaxed, inspired and refreshed after this retreat.
You don't need any experience - all you need is a sense of curiosity, a willingness to relax, and the desire to create.
Only 10 spots available, don’t miss out!