It was really coming down when I awoke the other day. The news was showing that just about every school was closed in our area. My car was already buried and outside the window the snow seemed to be blowing in every direction. It was gorgeous and this time it was not the powdery kind, but heavy snow, which clung to every branch and surface. I made a teeny tiny snowman on my windowsill–with capers for eyes and a slither of carrot for a nose. I spent the day working on gathering more files for my agent but around 2 pm I allowed myself time to just paint. not illustration. not anything representational. just free creating. Bliss.
winter walks in NYC...
All the architectural details really stand out when the sky is foggy and gray–unless the buildings are so tall that they vanish into the sky. These are some recent snaps of the city. Midtown and UES.
january walk...
It was only 26 degrees, but I couldn't wait to get outside. There is something magical about winter. The past few winters have been so mild and even this year has very little snow accumulation. I just love to walk around town and look at the woods, the homes, the bits of nature, etc. It is great for creativity too!
a stroll through Chelsea...
Last week I clocked 15k steps walking around Chelsea in Manhattan. So many of my fave places have closed down. Bummer. I found a great typewriter store though. Hit some fun holiday markets in Chelsea Market and had delicious sushi tacos for lunch. Then a great walk with my friend down the Highline where it suddenly began to snow. Felt like a little Christmas miracle. (Stopped after three minutes.) Anyway, I always feel so inspired by the city. Need to go in more like I used to!
the long winter...
I must say I was prepared for the winter this time. It always feels so long and I am dreaming of swimming again by mid January—but this time, whilst in a pandemic—it feels that much longer. I’ve spent it working very long days in my studio and taking walks as much as the weather allows. These are some crazy times but I find that staying busy is key. Everything has changed! But there are always positives and I love the focus that this time brings. I’ve been writing some new books and working on the dummies. Sometimes I forget how much fun it is to just draw straight out of my head. I remember an editor telling me how she thought that must be so satisfying back when we met in the city to review a story idea. (It is!) But writing is painful. It is just so incredibly hard to get the pacing just so.
I still miss the city more than words could ever express, but we just need to get through this latest strain. My bus line is still shut down, so I may as well use this time to dig in (and out with all that snow!) The winter light is beautiful and the days are starting to get longer now. My watercolor book comes out in just a few weeks. I got an author copy in the mail and was surprised how big it was! I will have to write more about that on another post, but for now I am just wishing everyone peace and good health. I can’t wait to be with my friends again! Spring is coming!
