seasonal observations: winter edition ❄️
a collection of observations to inspire future art making
One of the most interesting features of art licensing is how you’re perpetually designing outside of the season you’re currently experiencing. It’s a little disorienting as a designer to not be fully seeping in the seasonal vibes when you’re designing a seasonal design collection. So I thought a series of collecting my seasonal observances would be helpful when the time comes to work on winter designs. So below is a list of all the things I’ve noticed about winter this year and hopefully this will help spark some good inspiration in a few months!
Sparkles across an unblemished field of snow
The muffled silence of a snowfall
Trailing paths of snowy footsteps appearing across the landscape
The crispness of winter cold and how it resets my nervous system every time I step outside (you know..100 times every day because I have a dog who enjoys a good, meandering sniff with his bathroom break)
The expansiveness of the winter night sky and how its peppered with sparkling stars
The smell of impending snow (Lorelei Gilmore was onto something with that)
Bright blue winter skies with fluffy white clouds and the way it contrasts with the grey winter landscape.
The pops of pink and red that appear as February grows near
Fluffed up birds sitting on bare tree branches
Colorful sunsets against the bare branches of a forest of trees
The comforting warmth of a good pair of gloves and a knit hat
The supremacy of a warm mug of coffee or hot cocoa when the temperature dips
The excited anticipation of a snowfall and how the whole world slows down while the snow falls
Lazy, floating snowflakes dancing through the air
The crackle of the fireplace and the cozy warmth that spreads through the house
The familiar, comforting scent of fireplace smoke on the wind as my neighbors all warm their homes against the winter cold.
The comforting warmth of my favorite handmade flannel quilt on my favorite sofa
My sweet, needy cat sharing warmth with some lap cuddles (complete with very loud purrs)
It’s no secret there’s a lot going on in the US right now (unless you live under a rock in which case I humbly ask if you have room for one more under that rock 🫠). But I’ve found some comfort in focusing on the steady march of nature. How the seasons don’t stop changing and how you can depend on some constants while winter is visiting us in the northern hemisphere. Slowing down to recognize the small pleasures of living on this very special blue & green rock has been a balm in times of uncertainty. No matter who’s president, I’m going to continue to focus on the small things that make life worth living each and every day.
What’s your favorite part of winter? Please share down below, I’d love to hear 💖
