Each Winter I seem to migrate no hibernate into my dreams, put paint brush to hand and begin painting floral and embellished little artworks. Stroke after stroke I load the paintbrush and simply paint. I think it dawned on me that much of my recent angst was due to not letting my mind flow freely and for me that means creating sometimes anything.
While living in Vancouver I dearly missed Winter and the quietness it brought about. The seasons their blend into each other with Winter being but a blip of minor cold and incessant rain in December and January. There is no distinct separation of Fall to Winter and then Winter to Spring. And this really affected my psyche, as for 30 years I was acclimatized to distinct seasonal separations and time lapses. That first year I remember thinking when does Winter start or end for that matter? And when does Spring arrive? Yes, the Magnolia’s and Cherry tree blossom’s bloomed but the grass was green in February when I arrived, and it was 11º Celsius when I a stepped off the plane in a bulky Winter coat thinking I’ve arrived in paradise. Is this really Canada?
In later years I was able to plant and grow vegetables outside in March on my rooftop deck. It blew my mind away. I do miss that. I don’t miss the 45 day stretches of grey skies and rain nor the associated dampness. It may be colder here in Saint John, NB during Winter but we do get sunshine every week and sometimes for days on end in between the snow, rain, sleet, slush, freezing rain, flurries and blizzards. It’s a year round kaleidoscope of weather here!
Last week Saint John saw it’s temperatures rise into the double digits while this week we are plummeting into the Antarctic again. But it’s sunny outside and warm in my studio. I finished painting these little boxes the other day.
If I got to choose, I’d live in Saint John from September to April and in Vancouver from May to August. Who knows… someday I might just do that.
Set of Three Boxes
Large box – 2 11/16 by 2 5/8 inches (68mm by 66mm)
Medium Box – 2 1/8 by 1 5/8 inches (55mm by 41mm)
Small Box – 1 1/2 by 1 inch (39mm by 26mm)
Medium – Gesso, sandpaper, Kroma Acrylic and Delta Ceramcoat Clear Indoor Varnish on hardwood
If you could live in two different places where would you live and why? Does the weather or season affect your creativity?
The set of handpainted boxes shown in the blog post are listed in my Etsy Art Shop for sale. Thank you!
