By Cade Martin

As a kid, I spent many a dinner at a table surrounded by friends of my parents, an eclectic cast of characters — sculptors, writers, painters, creatives. That thread of creative community has remained in our offices, our teams, and our collaborations. But that thread feels thinner in this moment.

So I asked, with the purpose of sharing, and of supporting and caring for this creative community in its current, uncertain reality. I asked what people are doing, how they are feeling, how they are sparking creativity. It feels important to share what we do, when we can’t do all our doing.

Reaching out first to some of the talented people I’ve had the good fortune to profile though the Capitol Communicator portrait series.  It’s my version of a virtual dinner table of sorts. Grab a chair and listen in to my conversation with Bill Martin, Co-founder, Barber Martin Agency, Richmond, VA.

Bill, what, if anything, are you doing differently?

I awaken each morning expecting to find Rod Serling in my bedroom intoning, “Submitted for your approval….”   This new reality is not easy. There is a fine line between sanity and Hannity. But this is also a time when the best of humankind is on display. So, while it’s the forbidden fruit for so-called creatives, I’m trying to emulate the good work I see others doing.

Are you staying creatively active?

As a retiree, self-quarantine is proving to be a great time to revisit books, films and TV that influenced the stuff of my own making. I just discovered a melody in a sequence of the 1968 TV show The Prisoner, that I must have carried around in my head subconsciously for fifteen years, before recording a jingle with virtually the same tune. (Hmmm. Looks like I’ve emulated the good work of others before.)

How are you sparking yourself creatively?

What this new lifestyle has brought to the fore is self-reflection. For example, since the coronavirus changed our world, my bucket list has doubled. Now, in addition to Portmeirion in North Wales, I also want to visit … Walmart.