Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Fighting the Downward Pull of Too Much Winter

I thought I might have beaten the winter blues this year. Alas, I have not.  I have been able to keep moving even with the downward pull. Yesterday I finished a Java inspired mask that I created. I think the colorful nature of the mask reflects my need for spring with all of its wonderful greens and colors. Winter often brings out my most colorful work. How about you?

I love how I am pushing my pottery in new directions and using my arsenal of art supplies. For this one I used Viva Decor's Inka Gold in yellow green.  I have to say that I love it! Since it is paint that has a bee's wax base, it has no smell and it easily cleans up. I only own the yellow green so I will be adding more colors in the future. There are 19 more to choose. I also used Pebeo's Prisma Fantasy (one of the purples) which didn't quite give the effect that it does on paper, but I am still pleased.  And so I continue to work hoping the groundhog was correct and I'll get my early spring.

Decided to make this post for Off the Wall Fridays. Thanks Nina-Marie!

13 comments:

  1. I can identify....on so many levels. Winter grabs ahold of me too.....I am winter weary, despite my many projects. I long for the warmth, the sunshine and the ability to be outside without so many layers of clothing!

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  2. Spring is coming. At least that is what I keep telling myself. It can't get here soon enough for me!! I've been loving your masks.

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    1. Cheryl, Thanks. I need all the encouragement I can get! Hugs, Karen

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  3. Karen, I so feel for you. I've been battling the winter blues since I moved to rainy Washington for nine months out of the year. It finally got so bad that these past two years I've gone to the desert and rented places for a month. I decided it was a matter of self-preservation and worth every dollar, and I split the cost with friends. If at all possible, I highly recommend it.

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    1. I knew when I visited Washington that I would not survive the sunless days. At least it was green! And good for you for going to the desert. I am going to try to figure something out for next year. Hugs, Karen

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    2. You definitely should try to get away during the worst of the winter to let your creative batteries recharge in the sun. Try www.vrbo.com or some of the other sites where you can rent people's houses or condos. Or maybe an artist-in-residency somewhere warm. In the meantime, spring IS on the way!

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    3. You are too wonderful for words! Thanks!

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  4. You can come stay with me during the drab winter days, just give me time to have the guest room ready.

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  5. I grew up in Alaska, and learned to go into my own little hibernation cave for winter protection and safety. The winds blew, the snow fell, emotions raged around me.. but I found a way to be happy inside even when I was deeply sad. A huge part is being creative and letting the pain out in other ways that are healthy and healing. We all need masks and we all wear them in just this way. And I see that as a coping mechanism not an escape. Your mask smiles and that is a good thing if you let it inside as well as out.The stasis of hibernation is not truly withdrawal, it is simply finding your own space of feeling grounded and at peace and always, always remembering that you've felt this way before and it does pass. It is so much more than hurtful emotions, or inertia, or the feeling of always walking underwater. Many threads connect us, Karen. One of them may be red, but there are ones from all of the colors of the rainbow and beyond. Feel my connection to you, and know that I understand beyond words and into the heart space where pain and loss reside. I'm with you dear lady, and I'm holding your heart and your hands. I'll borrow your mask and you can borrow mine but there is a bright and loving light at the end of the tunnel of our caves! Spring is just ahead and we will all be jumping time, together!

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  6. Winter is the worst. Welcome sunshine!

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Love comments! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.