Where are you in the world, and what’s the current Coronavirus lockdown like?
I’m at home in Highbury in north east London, bunkered in with my sister Eve and my cousin Sam. London's been on lockdown since the end of March and it’s pretty strict – only supposed to go out for essentials and a bit of exercise. We’ve managed not to kill each other yet, so we’re doing alright. Very strange days; I was climbing the walls a bit for the first couple weeks, now I’ve started to find a rhythm. The rituals help; cooking lots, I’ve had more hot baths and early nights than I can remember, getting into me yoga, even enjoying running! Bit of a worry really. Very lucky to have a garden that we’re out in at the first glint of sunshine. Missing humans and the pub lots, but there’s a silver lining, living at a slower pace. I’ve caught up with lots of old friends and family, and there’s a sense of togetherness I’ve never experienced before which is fantastic. I’ve read more than a couple of pages of my book too.
What’s your WFH situation like?
Missing the studio a bit, you guys know how much of a tip my studio can be [Wrap’s studio is a few doors down from Alec]! I like to work on a couple of things at once – maybe a painting and a drawing commission and jump between the two in the day, I make a mess. Can’t do that at home, so I do miss that, but it’s been good in other ways. I’m learning how to do the same thing with less – spring-cleaning my process in a way, and when I think about it, I’m actually getting some laundry done, and making fancy lunches at the same time. Pre: the outbreak, I didn’t spend much time at home, so it’s been quite a novelty. It’s fun, I’ve learnt I don’t need much to have a good time. When this is all over I think I’ll stay in a lot more – maybe, haha.
Staying Sane During Quarantine #2 - Alec Doherty
And how’s work looking the moment?
Work has been up and down, lots of enquires in the first couple of weeks and lots of dead ends. I’ve been doing my own thing and spending time on some of those ideas you never get round to doing, which has been great. I’m starting to get busy again this past week or two with some exciting commissions. Folks are beginning to find a rhythm; it’s been great to see how creatives and agencies have adapted to the situation, they’re coming up with some ingenious ways to work it – it’s exciting, and inspiring to see. Staying afloat for now and enjoying the calm waters, that’s as much as any of us can do in this situation.
Have you got a new routine?
I have, it’s modelled around my new ‘slow’ philosophy, and revolves around food. Every Sunday we write a menu for the week ahead – breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’ve taken on the responsibility of 'Head Chef' in the house as the other guys have real jobs already. Each day starts in the kitchen – coffee and the radio at about 8am, then the three of us do Adrienne’s 11 min Morning Yoga class on YouTube together in the front room. Then it’s time for breakfast; today was a smoothie (beetroot and banana) and mushrooms on toast, I also had banana and peanut butter on toast because I also had my Zoom exercise class with Kole and needed extra. Showers. Decide on suitable WFH clothes – underpants, or underpants with a fancy top if I’ve got a call. Bit of work, get lunch on, today’s was easy leftover chicken sarnies and salad, loadsa mayo. Coffee, back to work. Walk up the hill and round the park when the guys finish work, cheeky ciggy, maybe a tinny to walk with, then back to get tea on. Tonight's is a bit trickier – trying a pineapple and cauliflower Keralan curry, fancy, could be minging. Bottle of wine, (getting quite into spending my pocket money at my local wine merchants who do delivery by bike, they’re called Top Cuvée, if you're in north London), then we spend an hour deciding what to watch on Netflix, fall asleep 10 mins into an episode of The Sopranos, crawl up to bed. Repeat. Enjoying a bit of routine – think it's good for my brain and a good distraction from the quarantine.
Any tips for great music / TV / books, or a favourite distraction to pass the time?
Our house is pretty noisy with music, it’s the one thing I couldn’t live without and it has been keeping me sane. Me and me mates have been making and sharing playlists with each other on Spotify – it’s fantastic, I love hearing new stuff. I’ve also been making a playlist each week with some of my favourite tracks and sharing it on Instagram, it’s called 'Orrible Germs 2k20’. Enjoyed making those a lot. The best thing though was my mum organised a Desert Island Discs Party, where all the family (I’m one of 7 kids) shared their favourite 8 tracks and made a big playlist out of them. We had a HouseParty together and chatted about why we picked the tracks, Kirsty Young styleees – it was a fun trip down memory lane, and I'd recommend it if you have some spare time. I’m the world’s slowest reader, but I’m reading A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, that my mate Morgan got me – it’s dark and amazing, and also Love Saves the Day by Tim Lawrence – it's a history of American dance music, it’s boss too. Been getting into some docu’s on the TV. BBC have got a couple of great music-related ones – one on Sinatra, and one on Miles Davis which is well worth a watch.
Top quarantine snack / drink / recipe?
Best snack: banana and peanut butter on toast or rice cracker or anything really.
Best new discovery: scrambled eggs with marmite on toast, proper good.
Favourite simple dinner: tinned tomato sauce pasta, the Italian’s version of beans on toast.
Are you working on any new projects or skills during the lockdown?
Trying to learn Italian on the Duolingo app – going good, I can say ‘hello’ and ask for two glasses of Aperol Spritz. Been painting a bit, and working on some new drawings, making some new jewellery too, really excited to get that in to be cast – there are some fun new pieces.
Have you volunteered or contributed to any projects etc you want to give a shout out to?
I’m bad, I haven’t really. I have been buying local and spending my money with small producers which is a small contribution. I must try harder.
Which creative or studio should we be following, or someone to make us feel good?
Heres some accounts that I love. If you’re not following Bob you should be.
@realbobmortimer
@poolsidefm
@curate.tv
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alecdoherty.com / @alecdoherty
