With Sydney’s lockdown restrictions keeping everyone indoors, finding fun and inventive ways to pass the time can be difficult.
But what if we could take that holiday we’re all dreaming about, without breaking lockdown laws, and escape to the stars from the comfort of home?
Hireup client Andy and his support worker Kay have done just that.
Having connected on Hireup three months ago, Andy and Kay found a great support connection in each other. They share many similar interests, most notably art and music.
Andy describes Kay as: Fun, funny and outgoing
Kay describes Andy as: Creative, fast and thoughtful
Andy has loved art since high school and attended art school for three years following. He enjoys doing leather work, tie-dying various clothes, painting and other art styles.
Kay is an art teacher and also shares an interest in electronic music like Andy - who is also an aspiring DJ.
Together, they have joined forces to escape Sydney’s lockdown by creating a mural that transports the audience to the stars and the Orion Nebula.
The mural is being painted inside Andy’s group home, where Andy and Kay’s bookings regularly take place. Andy began the mural, fittingly, using a base coat of Mars black paint which he applied to the wall using a paint roller. The nebula and dust effect is applied using spray paint and a sponging technique.
Andy wants his art to say “buy me” and Kay affirms that Andy is keen to become a commercial success with his creative pursuits in art and electronic music. “He’s an entrepreneur, I’ll tell you, says Kay.”
Kay worries that there is sometimes a risk of support workers underestimating people they support. As a support worker “it’s important to really hone in on a client's skill and really focus in on that,'' says Kay.
We asked Andy why he is so interested in art: “It makes me happy,” he said.
Outside of art, Andy has also been making music on GarageBand and wants to begin experimenting with a DJ deck.
Once the lockdown ends, Andy and Kay have plans to attend a DJ event in Camperdown.
