The pandemic has meant different things to different people. For a Godfrey, Ont.-area artist, what we’re currently going through has meant a change of direction in some of what he does.
For metal sculptor Stefan Duerst, COVID-19 means he’s got a chance to pivot or head in another direction, at least when it comes to some parts of his work.
“If there’s a problem it always inspires me because I have to look for ways that otherwise I would have not looked at before, and this way I can create new opportunities,” Duerst said.
“I’m forced to maybe go down a road that otherwise I would have not gone.”
The native of Germany says his creativity has never stopped during the pandemic and that’s a good thing. Duerst says when it comes to what he does, it’s a matter of addition, not subtraction.
“If you follow what’s going on from a marketing or business perspective, it was really hard to get exercise equipment, everyone bought it because no one could go to the gym so there’s a higher demand so it would be the perfect timing to launch a product like that,” Duerst said.
Duerst says COVID-19 has also a meant he’s taking another look at his social media and how to better market what he does.
Get daily news
“Again I’m using this problem,” he said. “I switch it over, I flip it over as an opportunity. I’ll straighten out my web site, I’m going to revisit and clean out my Instagra. I’m going to add a YouTube channel which I have not used before.”
Striking while the iron is hot — for this artist and during these times, that’s what it’s all about.