On November 8th, I was given the prestigious opportunity to interview Hannah Chillingworth, an incredibly talented local artist that specializes in graphite portrait drawings. She has won several local and regional awards for her portfolio “Adapting to Water.” Currently, Chillingworth is attending University of the Arts where she is pursuing a major in expanded drawing and print media, and a minor in art education. Now, Chillingworth is president of the University of the Arts’s chapter of the National Art Education Association.
Her Campus: What classes are you taking?
Hannah Chillingworth: I am taking a full course load with 18 credits. I’m taking three studio classes– sculpture class, drawing class and digital media class– Art History, English, Art Education and Presentations Skills.
HC: How has the curriculum in your classes changed with the Coronavirus?
Hannah Chillingworth: It’s definitely different. In person, Art is so hands on. Before COVID-19, my teachers would come over and help us and show us what to do. “No you want to hold the pencil like this” or “here’s how you want to shade.” Now, you just email the teacher and they attempt to help you over email. A lot of people are struggling because they– especially artists– rely on the emotional outlet to express themselves. They need to express how they feel about school being online, but they don’t really have time to do art outside of school. A lot of seniors at my school do a senior thesis– a series of art– they are most likely using these emotions as inspiration, my classes don’t give me this option to go out and explore my emotions like this. As a Freshman, my classes cover basic fundamentals– it’s limited.
HC: What are the challenges of learning art in an online environment?
Hannah Chillingworth: The lack of criticism and instruction is a huge challenge. We used to be able to get feedback as we developed our pieces. Now, we are given feedback after the piece is finished. However, I think the hardest part is that people are in such different circumstances. Ideally, everyone would have a studio that they can sit in and work; now, they have to figure out how to set up their own still–life and models. Materials are a problem too. There are people in my classes across the world– what art supplies do they have access to? Teachers can’t tell them to get specific paints or color pencils because they don’t know what’s available. You don’t know how much space people have or even if they have a printer. You need a LOT of supplies– expensive supplies. You need to invest in supplies. People are losing their jobs and don’t have enough money. Completing and assigning work is difficult.
HC: Has the Coronavirus influenced your art?
Hannah Chillingworth: Last year, in high school, I would just go to school, go to art class, and just draw all day. When I went home, I’d have a hard time working. I had this mental block that didn’t allow me to work at home. I would think “Oh, I just can’t focus at home.” But now, all my classes are online, and I’m not living on campus. Online school taught me that art is accessible. The mental block wasn’t real– you can do art anywhere. COVID-19 has also taught me to explore different mediums. Before, I never did digital art. I never started it until I started college. I was doing pencil for so long– I thought it was too different. I’m mostly teaching myself. The learning curve is big but it’s a fun challenge. It’s a new and accessible art form. No canvases or paint– and it turns out good! It’s been fun for me.
HC: As an artist that specializes in graphite portraits, do you find yourself trying to explore digital art?
Hannah Chillingworth: COVID-19 has taught me to never limit myself to one thing– you never know how long it’ll last. Digital art is a very useful skill, and knowing how to use it is so important. COVID-19 has also taught me to explore different mediums. Before, I never did digital art. I never started it until I started college. I was doing pencil for so long – I thought it was too different. I’m mostly teaching myself– which is different from learning from a teacher. The learning curve is big but it’s a fun challenge. It’s a new and accessible art form –no canvases or paint– and it turns out good! It’s been fun for me.
HC: In school, since everything is online, is there more of an emphasis on digital art?
H: One of my classes focuses on digital media. But really, it’s a balance. Some classes stress using different tools like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator– which are good skills to have. You will have so many opportunities to exercise these skills. It’s nice to have something in your back pocket. My teachers don’t necessarily enforce more digital art but they balance it. I’m not a graphic design major, but the variety is very important.
HC: Do you do commissions? If so, how have they changed with our circumstances?
Hannah Chillingworth: Yes! When COVID-19 first started, I actually did take a break from commissions– I didn’t feel up to making art for a while. Now, I have been giving people the option of digital art. That way they can make prints of the art work too. Usually, I would draw the picture and give it to them, but now I can encourage multiple prints. I have been pushing the digital art for practice and safety of course. It’s a good experience.
HC: Have you felt that COVID-19 has been detrimental to your creativity?
Hannah Chillingworth: It definitely was at first. When school got canceled, I was so upset and depressed. I lost interest in making art for a while. I didn’t want to make art about COVID-19. People have so much to say about masks and COVID-19, but for me it just makes me so depressed. Artists drawing people with masks at graduations is just not something I wanted to see. All I saw was art and expression about COVID-19– I needed a break. For a while, I didn’t make anything. Fortunately, starting school reset me and gave me structure. It reminded me how important art is to me. I love being around motivated people who make good art. I am proud of my classmates. They fueled me to work hard. It’s nice to see people making art online, but it’s different seeing people with you do art.
HC: Despite the challenges you are facing with COVID-19, how do you want to improve as an artist and student?
Hannah Chillingworth: When we get back in person, I will want to work harder and be fully present in class. It’s easy to get distracted and forget what you’re doing at home. Missing the studio, feedback, and my classmates is a motivator for me. I realized I can focus at home and work on my own schedule. I never knew how thankful I am not to be alone. I have so much respect for my teachers, it’s so hard to have the same energy online as in person. My teacher’s work so hard to make things as normal as possible. Adapting and staying positive is the most important thing. I am hopeful we will be back in person soon.
Art is essential. Over quarantine, we relied on art for entertainment (and honestly, sanity). We indulged in original documentaries, new shows, online museums and more. In this interview, I was able to investigate Chillingworth’s class schedule and how the coronavirus affected her art journey.
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