Earlier this week I looked out my studio window, the ornamental glass reflected a kaleidoscope of white. Snow covered the ground with a hushed beauty.  I pondered this wonderful time for creative hibernation.   

For a change… I had no where I needed to go.   

It reminded me of the Bear. 

Giving birth in the silence of Winter, nurturing new life in the warmth of her den all energy focus within that private space.  Now, I know bears don’t actually hibernate, their bodies adjust to allow them to retreat within during the long winter months.

They remain completely alert and ready to act, they rest but remain conscious.    During this time they don’t need to eat, no outside nourishment is necessary all is contained within.  

They don’t need to eliminate, bowel and bladder shut down during the winter so there is no need to leave the warmth of the den.  Nothing is discarded.  

There is a true joy in the forced isolation, the gift of time to work with minimal distraction allows me to pursue new avenues of thought, ideas, experiments.   

When I come out of my studio (den) in the spring I will have given birth to exciting new art.   

I hope you will all take some time to enjoy the blessings of the remaining winter.  The days grow longer, and soon the silence will be a memory as we welcome the joyous awakening of spring.