{the in-between}

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  

{Charles Dickens}

I sort of love this time of year - when the weather can't quite make up it's mind. The "in-between" of Winter and Spring. 

I also love when the trees seem to feel the changes before even we do. Their limbs start swelling and little leaves and buds are forming, all in  preparation of the glorious burst of Spring. 

The birds are out too, joyously surfing the air currents as if they were invisible ocean waves in the sky. All of this play is done between their early morning and evening practices of Spring symphony. 

I am looking forward to Spring but I am also thankful for the Winter. In years past that is not something that I could say - but this Winter has been different. I went into this Winter learning a lot of lessons and learning a lot about myself. Instead of fearing them, I chose to embrace the lessons and changes. I discovered the "root" of my artistic voice, and now I am looking forward to a Spring, where all of the things that I have learned and discovered can now continue to swell - and eventually bloom.

{i am a winter artist}

I've been quietly observing and have come to the realization that there are "winter" artists and there are "summer" artists. {Some swing back and forth but most seem to lean one way or the other.}

"Winter" artists tend to use a neutral or more muted palette and evoke the emotions of quiet happiness, calmness, melancholy, or angst. "Summer" artists however tend to use bright candy-colored palettes to evoke a more joyful happy, playfulness, or even sass in their work.

I myself, feel that I am a "winter" artist. Once the weather turns cold and dark {both literally and/or figuratively} I seem to nestle into my studio where it's warm and toasty, seemingly to overcome built up layers of cold wind or rain.

With paintbrush {or lately needle} in hand, colors and textures reveal themselves to mimic my moods and/or thoughts, longings, and desires.

I settle in as if I have something signifigant to overcome, and ultimately share with the World.

Sometimes I walk away satisfied - but sometimes I don't. That never discourages me from returning the next time - pressing on.

For an artist, every day, like every season, is different. Each one revealing new landscape that must be explored.