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Date: 9/15/2021
NORTHAMPTON – After the COVID-19 pandemic changed the lives of everyone, one artist in Northampton began journaling his thoughts and drawings of this new environment before eventually combining them into his “Planet COVID-19 Field Journal.”
Christopher Gendron, the journal’s author, said his initial work on the journal was like therapy for himself trying to grasp the realities of the world of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was about trying to figure out what was going on in the world as it was happening. It started out as therapy basically, I was walking around town trying to think, clear my head and figure out what was going on. I wanted to try to get some answers and feel a little bit better about what was happening,” he said. “I think the journal was kind of my way of figuring out how to open up and get some help and support by writing and drawing.”
While creating journal entries, Gendron said he looked at the world as if it were a completely different planet.
“It is kind of like a field journal or a diary, I would walk around and see normal things out on the street or in the woods and was looking at everything with a new set of eyes since it seemed like the planet was changing and it was almost like being on a new planet. I was writing about what this new experience was,” he said.
Gendron said the support from his friends and family is what inspired him to put his art and writing into a book.
“At first I was writing to just get through things and I started posting the images and writing on social media and I had a few friends and family reaching out saying they were looking forward to seeing the posts and eventually people suggested I publish them. The love and support from my friends and family kept it going to put the book together,” he said.
Once the idea for the journal was in place, Gendron said he started a Kickstarter campaign and nearly doubled the amount of money he was asking for.
“It was very successful; I reached my goal in four hours and I ended up doubling what I was asking for the minimum goal so I was able to get what I wanted printed plus some extra copies so I can sell those online or give them out as gifts. I was very pleasantly surprised,” he said.
Through his journal, Gendron said he hopes people can keep a positive mindset and find love and support to help deal with the difficult events of the past 18 months.
“I hope people are able to stay positive and see things with fresh eyes and not to be too down about things if you can help it, there are a lot of serious, heavy, sad things that happened during all that. I think it is really important to try and find the support and love that you need to get through it,” he said.
Gendron’s “Planet COVID-19 Field Journal” is available for purchase online at https://www.covidfieldjournal.com.