The Greeks used stories in the form of mythologies to understand nature. For the Greeks, Winter is the season when the Goddess Persephone is required to live in Hades. Her mother, Demeter, the Goddess of all plants that grow mourns the loss of her daughter and the plants echoe her grief. When Persephone returns from Hades every year, Demeter celebrates and the plants burst forth with new life. That was their understanding of the changing of the seasons.
For me the changing of the seasons are different. It seems to me that Spring flows into Summer, Summer eases into Fall, and Fall transitions to Winter. But Winter…she’s different. She doesn’t let go. I always see the transition from Winter to Spring as a battle. Winter is fighting to hang on for just a little longer.
Interestingly, conflict between the seasons showed up in my creative process as I worked to paint a scene for February. I had a perfect idea originally, but after more than a week trying to get it on canvas, I put that one on a shelf. It just didn’t feel right. I tried a couple more and once again, couldn’t bring the images alive on canvas. Then I thought about this scene. The Eastern Phoebe in this picture is an older female. She has lived through eight winters, and with that age comes wisdom.
As Winter struggles to hang on for just a bit longer, the Phoebe patiently waits. She’s not worried, she knows the seasons will change. Winter will lose her grip, and the wondrous season that is Spring will be coming soon. The pale green buds amidst the new life rising from the dust of snow quietly announce, “Persephone is coming soon, Spring is almost here.”
This painting is inspired by all of Nature’s creatures who look forward to the coming Spring.
I hope you enjoy this third in my series of fine art greeting cards.
This greeting card is a high quality, large 5” x 7” card printed on heavy card stock with a satin finish. The card is created with framing in mind.
The Greeks used stories in the form of mythologies to understand nature. For the Greeks, Winter is the season when the Goddess Persephone is required to live in Hades. Her mother, Demeter, the Goddess of all plants that grow mourns the loss of her daughter and the plants echoe her grief. When Persephone returns from Hades every year, Demeter celebrates and the plants burst forth with new life. That was their understanding of the changing of the seasons.
For me the changing of the seasons are different. It seems to me that Spring flows into Summer, Summer eases into Fall, and Fall transitions to Winter. But Winter…she’s different. She doesn’t let go. I always see the transition from Winter to Spring as a battle. Winter is fighting to hang on for just a little longer.
Interestingly, conflict between the seasons showed up in my creative process as I worked to paint a scene for February. I had a perfect idea originally, but after more than a week trying to get it on canvas, I put that one on a shelf. It just didn’t feel right. I tried a couple more and once again, couldn’t bring the images alive on canvas. Then I thought about this scene. The Eastern Phoebe in this picture is an older female. She has lived through eight winters, and with that age comes wisdom.
As Winter struggles to hang on for just a bit longer, the Phoebe patiently waits. She’s not worried, she knows the seasons will change. Winter will lose her grip, and the wondrous season that is Spring will be coming soon. The pale green buds amidst the new life rising from the dust of snow quietly announce, “Persephone is coming soon, Spring is almost here.”
This painting is inspired by all of Nature’s creatures who look forward to the coming Spring.
I hope you enjoy this third in my series of fine art greeting cards.
This greeting card is a high quality, large 5” x 7” card printed on heavy card stock with a satin finish. The card is created with framing in mind.
