Spencer X On View Gallery

The hindsight on this situation is going to be pretty epic. But right now in the middle of it, we’re all in the weeds, and as they keep saying: together.

You generally don’t get unemployment if you’re a full-Time artist, and the grants and loans have already dried up. Some industries have bigger, stronger advocates or some type of curbside pick-up option.

However, one thing is certain, this kind of stress brings human beings to their edge and makes them adapt. Change or perish, And creatives will never perish. Creatives never stop. their work is the very definition of hope. That humans will keep creating in the most desperate of times because they have something to say, something to do and the same work that is deemed “non-essential”, is to the very core of the human soul, absolutely essential.

The quote has been passed around to me several times: “if you’ve read, listened to or viewed art during this quarantine, maybe think about that next time someone proposes slashing funding for the arts”.

Try and get through this quarantine without art. I dare you. Life will become a one-dimensional shadow without the interplay of thought and word and color from each other. Without your favorite playlist or podcast, without concerts and live music, or watching free online operas and virtual gallery tours. Without art, you will feel like you are in this: alone.

Who knows what the future will bring, but the quote stands true. We need art now more than ever. What else can help us move forward bravely, with hope, and ever so beautifully into a brand new world?

Spencer McQueen shares with us a firsthand account of what it’s like to be an artist in quarantine. The challenges his practice has experienced, what he’s learned during this time and a signature drink recipe that’s helping him get through it all. So mix one up and pour one out for yourself and have a good read.

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Q.) Let's talk about the big, fat, sick elephant in the room-COVID19. How has the fallout affected you as an artist?

A.) For myself, as well as the majority of the world it seems, this has been a very abrupt change. To be thrown into this level of disarray, your life rooted in routine, and creature comforts, only for it all to vanish in as short as a week. It’s been disorienting to say the least. The main issues I’ve been experiencing is access to material, and honestly, motivation. It’s very easy to find yourself in an “I’ll get to it later” rut. Then find it’s 12:30 am and you have no idea where the day has gone. That’s tends to happen more than I’d like. 

Q.) As we launch into another month of cancelled gallery exhibits and coffee shop shows-what's been the greatest challenge? What's been the biggest point of growth?

A.) The greatest challenge has been to find motivation in these days of the previously stated lack thereof. I am constantly fighting the question; “what’s the point?” in this climate. But that is also the biggest growth because as you fight that question, you find the point. You start working regardless of the question and you find your way through it. My biggest growth is allowing those feeling to drive the work rather than using a feeling to infuse the work.

Q.) In your opinion, how do you see the path forward for artists in a newly readjusted economy?

A.) I’ve never really seen art and the economy as symbiotic. I see it as individuals selling to individuals in the most joyful way possible. There is nothing logical about buying art, we do it because we love it and as such, we find a way to make it work. And as someone who has sold their own work most of their career, if I know someone truly wants a piece, then we will work it out.

Q.) What resources, podcasts, music, books etc have you tapped into during this time for support and sustenance for the soul?

A.) The best resource I’ve used is the free education Moma has offered. I’ve taken 3 out of the 6 classes that have been made free to the public during this time, and it is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a formal education in the arts and it been a beautiful experience to learn in this way and compare my views to teachings.

Q.) I've noticed you often clean the slate on your instagram account and start over with your latest work. Is there a reason for that?

A.) As I change, my work changes, and as my work changes (more often than not) the style evolved. Not too long ago I thought and learned a great deal about social media and created a body of work surrounding the peaceful coexistence of our internet selves and our “outernet” selves. As I change as a person, my work grows, and I want my social media presence to reflect who I am now rather than remind people of what I was in the past. The whole point of social media is to “follow”, and rarely to reflect. Unless it’s your besties birthday and you share 5 thousand pictures of you two from spring break in 2017.

Q.) You bartend frequently on your Instagram account; fave quarantine drink right now? (I know I’d LOVE the recipe to help me get through!)

A.) I’ve become very taken by the drink making process. It’s just as much of an art as anything else I do, and it’s become routine to make myself a drink and start working. I love tequila, and as much as I’d usually say my favorite drink is a margarita. I’ve been going with something a bit stronger lately (for obvious reasons). It’s a take on a classic cocktail called the Bijou.

The McQueen

 1.5oz Del Maguey Vida Mezcal

.75oz sweet sherry (I use Pedro Ximenez)

 .75oz Green Chartreuse

-a few dashes of grapefruit bitters 

Stir over ice and serve up.

The end result is a smokey, medicinal, elegant cocktail.