Shifting With The Seasons
My work changes with the seasons. I have a skill set that is diverse enough to be able to work in ways that enable me to shift from one media type to another quickly. In the summer months, when it’s hot and humid and the corn sweat sets in, you will find me indoors painting. The intense summers are a drain on the body. While I was originally an oil painter, I have found watercolor to be beautiful and rewarding. It’s a relatively recent change so I am constantly learning new things to excite my creativity. In the cooler months you will find me in the forge. I love going out in a brisk day, firing up the furnace and hammering out something unique.
I find a natural rhythm working this way. The seasons change and so does my art. My time working at the Homeplace (a historical 1850’s farm) in land between the lakes has shown me the importance of knowing when to work on what. Nature is constantly going through cycles and working in a way that mirrors this, keeps my inspiration fresh. In this part of the country, in the autumn, there are indicators of the seasons. I know it’s fall when I can crack my windows and let a bit of the smoke from the tobacco barns into the cab. It just smells like fall and has me excited for the upcoming cooldown.
What are some of the ways you know its time to shift gears and prepare for the new seasons?