If by chance, you saw a fur-hooded, down coat-bundled figure pass by in the evening weather update from Sherman Hill during last week’s blizzard, allow me to confirm, yes, that was me.
I had to chuckle to myself that night as I shuffled my way back up the hill from Mainframe Studios to find KCCI parked at the end of my otherwise deserted street. Who else, besides a dutiful reporter would deign to be out in a storm such as that? Well, me, apparently.
Perhaps I have lived in Iowa too long now, but now on my ninth, nay, tenth(!) winter in this arctic clime, I have to say I don’t really mind it. In fact, I kind of like it!
Okay, no, I do not enjoy de-icing my windshield, or digging my car out of the snow, or hopping from one island of dry pavement to the next every time I walk out the door, but let me tell you what I do like…
I like that in winter, I don’t need any more excuse to put on my pajamas the minute I walk in the door at the end of the day than that it’s already dark before 5 pm.
I like that my weekly uniform is a rotation of heavy sweaters and blanket-like scarves. And the odd sweater dress, when I’m feeling fancy.
I like that my soundtrack of the season is the gurgle of a constantly brewing coffee pot.
I like that I can recognize my own snow boot tread back and forth the sidewalks of my neighborhood.
But most of all, I love that this forced hibernation brought on by freezing temperatures and ice-slick streets (pandemic, aside) keeps me inside doing what I love best, making art!
“I have relished every morning I wake to sit in the sun streaming through my living room window, caffeinated and content as I bring paint to paper.”
Summer, for me is a time full of activity, even distractions. Why sit at home and paint when I could ride my bike, meet a friend for a patio drink, or peruse the farmers’ market? In winter though, wrapped in a blanket at home or at Mainframe Studios, cup of coffee in-hand, painting is just about the best thing I can think to do.
These past couple of months since my first whirlwind semester teaching at Grand View University ended, I have relished every morning I wake to sit in the sun streaming through my living room window, caffeinated and content as I bring paint to paper.
This current semester, my Intermediate Drawing students who meet me on campus (or via Zoom) at 8 am three days a week may be less than eager to start work so early. But I don’t mind.
We’re inside where it’s warm. And it’s snowing outside. And I have a cup of coffee in-hand. It is worth coming to the studio to make art. Even in a blizzard