By Bejay Browne.
A Paphos based artist is spreading humour as she completes a daily self-set challenge to use her paintings and technology to produce topical cartoons almost every day. She is then sharing them on social media.
Angela Winstanley, who opened Kouklia Artworks in Kouklia village, Paphos, 7 years ago, said she decided to set herself the challenge which she undertakes 6 days a week, to detract from anxiety which engulfed her during the first week of lockdown in Cyprus, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. She said her ‘meltdown’ made her realise that she needed to refocus her thoughts and actions into something positive and humorous.
“I couldn’t focus or settle, I was frightened of contracting the virus as I had come into contact with many people, some from other countries. I was also worried about my son and daughter in UK. My son has had to close his restaurant and my daughter is a student midwife, but now working on the front line with NHS, and she has an ‘at risk’ child at home,” the artist told the Paphos Post.
Trying to unwind, she ‘messed around’ with a cartoon, as painted and digital artwork helps her to unwind, she said.
Her unique style is easily recognisable throughout her work, combining superb illustration and humour.
Winstanley is best known for creating the hugely popular gnome, ‘Noggin Clontith’, a wise and kindly gnome which featured in a children’s story book, and two movies, which include songs and narration. Noggin also has his own website which shows samples of work, movies, greetings and pictures of Noggin and his friends.
Some of the cartoons are using her original artwork, others are digitally produced, and some are a mix of the two.
There are now a total of 32 cartoons available to view on a number of social media pages including the Kouklia Artworks shop page.
The artist said that she will feature the cartoons in a new book to raise funds for charity and a supporting exhibition when the current situation is better. She has yet to decide on the charities, but they will be in both the UK and also Cyprus.
“Humour is vital in times of stress, it helped me. Also, the ability to take a ‘ sideways look’ at life, is important to good mental well-being. It’s infectious and warm, and actually helps to lighten the load of adversity. I have stopped watching TV too much, and I know many will suffer increased anxiety and depression. So much better to turn away for a time and have a laugh,” she said.
