Quarantined Birthday Illustrations

How it started:

I wanted to do something fun and colorful for those stuck inside for their birthdays during the quarantine for COVID-19. My options were limited, but imagination and a Wacom tablet is all that's needed!

I posted a story on instagram on April 2 around 5PM stating that I would do a free illustration for anyone who was stuck in quarantine for their birthday so far (or would certainly be - basically, any April birthdays). I thought I would get a few messages here and there but really wanted to try to do something special while stretching my creative muscles so I asked for it to be shared around.

By 10AM on April 3, I had started a list of 10+ people with more and more instagram messages flooding my phone. Bzzz bzzz bzzz - I couldn’t believe it!! I don’t have that large of an instagram following and I’ve offered things in the past before that didn’t compare to the feedback this received. I knew if I wanted to keep up with these lists I’d have to write them down QUICKLY and in order to try and keep it as organized as possible.

‘put faces to all the strangers’

Over the next few days I posted the stories of the illustrations as they were completed and the finished drawings prompted more and more shares, more and more messages, more and more drawings. I read each message absorbing the gravity of the quarantine.

Ok, I understand it’s hard, alright? I’m locked in a house with two under three - I get it, but, there were messages and photos of school age kids not understanding why they couldn’t celebrate their birthday with their school friends. I got messages and photos of loved ones who, in addition to missing their birthday, were also missing their college graduation. Messages and photos of nieces and nephews being born and having to meet them through virtual chats. This project personally put faces to all the strangers out there missing big milestones. About 50% of the inquiries I received were friends and family requesting illustrations not for themselves, but for others!

By days’ end on April 5, my list had grown to exceed 50 illustrations. 56, to be exact.