Where are you in the world, and what’s the current Coronavirus situation like?
I’m in Brooklyn with my partner and our two cats. New York has obviously been hit very hard and there’s some pretty strict rules about socialising and wearing masks, but people can still go outside and how those rules are being enforced and followed varies a lot around the city. Our neighbourhood is pretty calm – you see people for the most part doing their best to keep their distance, but people are obviously restless. The beautiful spring weather is a bit torturous to New Yorkers in their tiny apartments.
Are you WFH? Tell us a bit about your set-up...
Both of us work out of our one bedroom apartment which we luckily moved into right before all this hit. I work in the back bedroom, and Erik has his desk set up on the other side of the apartment in the living room – we go most of the day without seeing each other, unless we need to take a break or get advice on something we’re working on.
My desk is a bit crowded at the moment – I never expected to have my full digital kit here so it’s a bit of a squeeze, but I make it work. From my desk I can look out at all of our neighbours’ gardens. It’s nice to have all these little quiet lives playing out there, it makes me feel connected to people even if I’m the creepy lady staring out of the window. It was a role I was born to play.
Staying Sane During Quarantine #3 - Cari Vander Yacht
And how’s work looking the moment?
So far work has been relatively steady, thank goodness. I still worry a bit about the future, but I try to focus on the day at hand. Being able to just put my head down and draw has helped the days move relatively swiftly. I’m also lucky that I’ve cultivated a real goof-ball style over the years, so my work tends towards the light-hearted, even though a lot of my jobs are about the virus.
Have you got a new routine?
New routine is similar to the old routine minus studio/beloved studio mates, plus 75% more snacking and bugging Erik.
Any tips for great music / TV / books to pass the time?
I can’t say enough good things about Midnight Gospel on Netflix, it feels like the perfect time for that show to come out. As far as music goes, I just listen to a lot of NTS, especially Charlie Bone’s show.
What about exercise?
When I was growing up we had all manor of ambitious home workout videos and equipment – Sweatin’ to the Oldies, Tae Bo, tiny trampolines, ankle weights and that sheet of plastic that you would slide back and forth on with little booties on your feet…I could keep going. This is all to say that my ‘heritage’ has prepared me to stay active during this very indoor time. Now it’s more about yoga and squats for me, but I still like a Richard Simmons-esk shameless home dance session. It’s all about what’s going to make me feel good at that moment.
If folks are looking for good resources, I’ve had great luck with Jason Crandell’s classes on Glo and the Nike Training app is solid (and free at the moment!).
Top quarantine snack / drink / recipe?
If you take a spoonful of peanut butter, push some chocolate chips into it and sprinkle it with a little fancy sea salt, you’ve got yourself a spoon cookie right there my friend.
Have you volunteered or contributed to any projects that you want to give a shout out to?
I did a project with the advertising agency R/GA to help small local businesses by making merch for them; I drew a funny little sandwich guy for my favourite sandwich shop Court Street Grocers. It’s not much but felt good to help. I’m also donating a portion of my print sales to Food Bank NYC this month and currently getting ready to host a video-chat art class for kids this coming week.
Which creative or studio should we be following, or someone to make us feel good?
If you aren’t already following @thelesliejordan and @edithcartoonist then you should do yourself a favour and smash that follow button.
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carivanderyacht.com / @vanderyacht
