In the Darkness of This Season
I spent some of my fall gathering good sticks and pinecones, milkweed pods, bird and wasp nests, dried sunflower heads, driftwood, and other bits of nature to live with us in our home. I filled my Christmas tree and decorations with it. I will keep some of those special little treasures in the house through my wintering.
Preparing for the holidays starts early for me so I can indulge in the joy of the season. And this year, I pared it all down. Fewer gifts. Fewer activities. Less prep. We did some simple hosting. Friends over for appetizers and treats and a good conversation. Celebrating our relationships. We thought about what relationships we wanted to grow and explore, where our energy brought joy, and where it was reciprocated.
I think about the same in my art. What did I discover in my art practice that filled me with joy? Where do I want to go with my practice? What to explore next. This has become a celebration ritual that is deeply important to fuel me with the creative energy I need to keep going.
Then we turned in for the quiet, early darkness. I crave the cozy. Dozens of candles came out with the thick blankets and hot drinks. More sleep. More books. That rest births a special energy that urges me to dig in. Not in a hurried frantic way, but in a thoughtful, more purposeful sort of way. I've been dreaming big dreams for this year and I can't wait to bring them to life and share them with you.
I work in alignment with the seasons. I'm currently painting the last 6-8 paintings for my book of poetry and paintings I plan to launch in the Fall of 2024. I've been working on that book off and on for the last almost 5 years. It will take more work to bring it to fruition, but the creating phase of that project is nearly over. Then I will focus on design and publishing tasks so I can finally bring that entire experience to you.
I'm also planning my next series of paintings for this year. It's early seed work. It's a restful time with focused action. I love the feeling of productivity without all the rush. Some people have seasonal depression, and I've struggled with that in the past myself. I'm wondering if my creativity is the best antidote for chasing away any blues that may come with all the winter greys. Getting outside. The contrast of birch trees against an evergreen grove. The soft blended grays of lake and sky. The special quiet of deep snow and days of sparkling ice. All lovely gifts for me. All fodder that never ceases to surprise me as it works its way into my paintings.
You have loved me through so much and I'm finally in a season where I can finally share more. I want to explore where my faith, nature, art, and beauty have come together for me. This year I want to share more of my thoughts with you, more of my paintings. I can offer you a greater view into my process and my life. I want a deeper connection with you. It's time.
