All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go, 2024 The Idea Behind the Painting Sometimes an old saying suddenly takes on a new meaning. During the lockdowns, the phrase "all dressed up and nowhere to go" seemed to capture how many people felt. Weddings were postponed, birthdays cancelled, theatres closed, churches became silent, and even meeting friends became impossible. As restrictions slowly lifted, people started to appear again, but the emotional effects remained. There was relief, alongside uncertainty, sadness and frustration. This painting grew out of those feelings. I wanted to create an image that acknowledged that common understanding while suggesting humour. Finding Humour in Difficult Times The couple stand together in their finest clothes, ready for an occasion that never arrives. The expressions on their faces are calm and composed, but the situation still feels awkward, something many of us can recognise. Although the painting depicts a difficult peri...