SAN ANSELMO, CA — Quarantine life has seen an explosion of people picking up new hobbies or learning new skills to pass the time. And the countless new podcasts and zillion bread recipes aren’t limited to regular folks, either. We’re seeing more and more celebrities get in on the act, either with their kids at home, or just as solo passion projects. (FSW is particularly keen on Seth Rogen’s pottery making habit.)

Of course, sometimes a “new” hobby can also entail revisiting a long lost passion project. Finishing off a 1,000-piece puzzle you started in the 90s, getting the band back together again virtually, maybe completing a model train set from back in the day.

For Star Wars creator George Lucas, quarantine life has meant picking up the paint brush again. The 75-year old film legend is adding a fresh coat of paint to his Star Wars miniatures collection. Beginning with Jar Jar Binks, Lucas is painstakingly tweaking all 924 figures in his complete collection.

“Art is fluid. That’s the beauty of it. And because it’s constantly evolving, I’m free to tell new stories using familiar characters in all-new ways. They’re all my kids, y’know. So I’m giving them a new look, and telling all new stories in my basement that really break the mold. The best part is that no one is around to tell me that I went too far, or that’s too much green or red on Darth Vader,” said Lucas via email.

A small portion of Lucas’ miniatures collection, yet to be repainted

Lucas has had plenty of time to paint lately as construction on the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art was postponed in late March because of the coronavirus. In the meantime, when he’s not repainting Star Wars figures and making stop-motion films with them, Lucas is enjoying quality time at home with his family. He’s also very grateful to those on the frontline, keeping us all safe.

“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all of the essential workers and healthcare workers worldwide, for their unceasing efforts to protect us. May the Force be with them. They’re our only hope in this.”

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—William “Willybobo” Bobo