Hartlepool TV costume designer creates wondrous artworks after lockdown puts broadcast career on hold

Sherilyn Oliphant, who lives in Greatham, is a freelancer in the film and television industry and had landed her ‘dream job’ working on costumes for a BBC children’s TV show filmed in the North East before the Covid-19 outbreak.

While she said she will return to the role when lockdown ends, the former student at Cleveland College of Art and Design, now The Northern School of Art, was left out of work in the meantime due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Therefore she decided to turn to art and design projects to keep occupied mentally and physically, and has to date completed several paintings, following her first project of making a dress.

Miss Oliphant said: “In the first week of lockdown, I decided it would be beneficial for me to have a creative project, both mentally and physically.

“Whenever I felt frustrated about something or overwhelmed by the current situation, I would go straight to the dress and start cutting, or sewing or measuring.

“It takes your mind away from some of the more stressful things one could be thinking about at this time.

“I saw the lockdown as an opportunity to learn some new skills and teach myself something in a window of time that I may never get back.”

The 27-year-old former entertainment design crafts student had previously worked in hair and make-up departments before landing her current role dealing with costumes.

Alongside the dress, which took her five weeks to complete, Miss Oliphant has also painted her nana with her four dogs Yoko, Freckles, Munchie and Holly, and also her sister as a Simpsons character.

Her art is also now helping her financially and she is completing personalised bespoke commissioned work for others on request, due to the success of her own projects.

She added this came as a boost as she said she was not eligible for Government Covid-19 support grants due to her freelance status.

She said: “During the lockdown I’ve been creating lots of art to cheer people up.

“I have always enjoyed designing and making before the lockdown, but the lockdown has given me the time to expand upon my skill set as an artist and designer. “

People can see more of her artwork on her Instagram at @maisy_eliphant.

A message from the Editor:

Sherilyn Oliphant with a dress she designed

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