When the groundhog sees its shadow and Mother Nature delivers winter storm after storm, your hopes for an early spring are quickly dashed.
Unlike winter 2012 when the Woodson Art Museum undertook an ambitious, tight-timeframe building project, this winter has been one for the record books. Literally. February wrapped up as the second coldest since the start of record keeping and thus far the region has logged more than seventy inches of snow.
Although green grass and spring flowers seem like an elusive mirage, I’ve satisfied my “think spring” need by turning to art.
Try it. Close your eyes and search your “mental visual Rolodex” or search Google Images. It’s quite amazing how quickly pursed lips turn upward into a smile as visions of idyllic green fields, vases filled with irises, and even a far-away beach scene work their magic.
Vincent van Gogh, Irises
Claude Monet, Poppy Fields
Edward Potthast, At the Beach
Art is often an answer for chasing away the blues, whether winter-weather-based or due to something else. Maybe “relief” comes from an artwork hanging in your home or perhaps from a visit to your favorite art museum.
Whatever works for you, take heART and think spring!
