Winter As Metaphor

I have a hard time with Winter. Every year I have a bad fall in my driveway—it becomes one big sheet of ice in the winter. Growing up in Hawaii has been a hindrance for me during Canadian winters. Except for the short days and ice, I love winter time. I love the fresh air, the cold, the blinding white and I’m not the least bit intimidated by winter driving. Hell, I drive better on ice than I walk! If I just didn’t have to walk on ice, all the planets would, indeed, be in alignment.

Winter is also a dark and, in many ways, limiting time for me. The days are short, the nights long and cold. There’s something about winter that is ominous to me—dark, short, dead, cold, isolating, and, since I fall down, painful. Most people love the Fall but when I feel the chill of the wind, see the leaves dropping and the days get shorter, it means only one thing—things are dying, the cold darkness is approaching and I need to learn to walk on ice. Winter as metaphor might be about losing control, about being alone in the dark, being without warmth and comfort. 

In my blog, I hope to look at/experience winter in a new way; a way that will take the darkness, the dread, out of it for me. I’d like my blog to shine a light in the dark of these long, dark nights–the ones of winter and the ones of my soul… I hope I can celebrate winter. Play with it. Find diversions from it. (There WILL be diversions here!) As well, descend into it, be overcome by it. It’s an experiment!

I enjoy the way Norwegians celebrate Winter–they light candles in the dark, ride horses in the snow, walk, ski. There is no hibernation, just life at a slightly slower pace. I admire their way of life. Now, if I can just get through the latest painful blip in my life… If I can just get through this Winter without falling… Winter As Metaphor.

I am an artist now living in Canada; a beautiful part of Canada. Unfortunately, I don’t paint landscapes. I like to paint abstracted still lifes. I find modern packaging very intriguing—I haven’t yet finished my series of Dial hand soap pump bottles. No painted lighthouses here! :D

 

littlekarkar1

EDIT–It’s looking a little like other seasons may be represented along with winter. Besides, if it’s summer in NS I’m probably praying for winter because it gets so hot and humid here!