Pandemic Art: On “Self Isolation or The Unsung Story of How Dreams Unconsciously Interfered with My Daily Life”
By Carlos Fentanes
www.instagram.com/carlosfentanes
The idea for this drawing came to me during the pandemic, in the thick of lockdown’s stillness. As habits shifted, friends shared how they filled their days: streaming Netflix, rediscovering books, learning to bake, or adopting pets. Beneath it all was a common thread—art.
Art kept us connected. It was everywhere: the songs we hummed, the films we devoured, the paintings we scrolled past. For some, it was a revelation of art’s quiet power in daily life. But for artists, it was simply routine. Creation often means isolation, shutting out the world to focus inward. The lockdown wasn’t a disruption; it was a reflection of what we already do.
This artwork is my homage to the artists—those unsung heroes who filled the void with beauty and meaning. While the world stayed home, they created: songs we played on repeat, movies that helped us escape, images that gave us hope.
For me, this was a reminder that art isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential. During those dark days, it bridged the distance and sustained us. This piece captures that moment—a tribute to the creators who turned isolation into connection.
A Note on the Medium: Sandpaper charcoal is a technique I learned from artist Annie Murphy-Robinson. It involves using charcoal pencils and then sanding the surface to smooth transitions and expand the range of grays. In my case, the piece is drawn on 300g printer paper, which is thick enough to withstand sanding without tearing or scratching. So while the term might suggest drawing directly on sandpaper, it’s actually charcoal on heavy paper, sanded during the process.
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