Virginia art teacher Sandee Darden’s lockdown journal has been causing a stir on social media. Full of topical commentary about all the things we are experiencing as a result of Covid-19, and including quality drawing, it’s easy to see why. I asked Sandee if I could share her work with art teachers and wanted to find out more about what had led her to make this journal.
Have you always kept a journal or is this the first time?
“In the past five years, I have begun to make travel journals while on trips to Canada, England and Scotland, and the Caribbean. I really think they added depth and dimension to my adventures and that is what helped encourage me to start one about the Pandemic Quarantine. I was feeling very isolated, missing interactions with students and colleagues.”
Do you encourage your students to keep a journal?
“I think of sketchbooks and journals as “idea banks” and do use them with my students. I believe strongly in collaboration, and even have used a “Traveling Journal” that students check out and use a page or two, then another student checks it out…they are filled with wonderful work that is made better by looking at and being inspired by the work of others.”
How have you found distance/home learning?
“I consider teaching a vocation and could not imagine doing anything else! With that being said, I am also an old dragon, not used to technology or social media, so when we went to distance learning, it was total culture shock and terror! I turned to social media when my anxiety over “was I the only one that has these problems” started to affect my work. Who knew that it would become such an invaluable tool, a sounding board!”
Your lockdown art journal has caused quite a stir. How does that feel?
“I have blossomed under the attention that pages are getting! It has truly been a blessing and indeed inspired me to keep going and continue my journey. I was dubbed a Visual Storyteller, and I love that! To think that other people feel like me and understand what I am feeling is a gift.”
Too see more of Sandee’s work follow her Journal Facebook Page.
For more inspiration, check out these two amazing student journals.
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