I created the body of work entitled Connected during the spring and early summer of 2020. It all started during the lockdown. The restraint of Stay at Home made me turn my artistic eye to my immediate surroundings. I went out to sketch the streets of the neighbourhood. I’ve never seen the sky so blue, the colours so strong. Or maybe I haven’t looked properly, always short of time and rushing to do the next chore. Firstly, I thought this subject attracted me simply because of the beauty of the season and the abundance of time. Later on, I realised, there is so much more to it. This is not just the street I live on; this is where my support network is. I feel safe walking these streets. I know people and people know me. I like seeing the familiar faces of my neighbours, smiling at me, stopping for a short chat, checking how am I coping, wishing me to Stay Well. After I had a look at the collection of paintings I have accomplished, I realised something more. The way I have been choosing which streets to sketch – I’ve intuitively been picking up spots with telegraph poles nearby. I knew then what message was coming through – to me, and to my viewers – We Are All Connected. We have these invisible links that keep us together. Our morning Hellos, our WhatsApp support groups, our chats in the queue in the supermarket. The locals in High Barnet know what I am talking about. I created this for you, and because of you, neighbours. Let’s Stay Connected.

This is an original watercolour painting of a street called The Drive in High Barnet. It is size A5, mounted and framed.  I did the initial sketch on location and added the watercolour later at home. The painting now lives in one of the houses, as it was purchased as Father’s Day gift for a dad from The Drive. I initially named the painting Dad Works From Home.

Barnet Church can be seen at the bottom of the road. It’s castle-like tower is said to be the highest point between London and the coast of France.