‘Clouds’ Acrylic and mixed media of deep cradled panel board. 15cm x 15cm x 5cm
Available on my website https://traceyelizabethdowning.com
Today it’s snowing, it softly falls, and I am thinking about what it means to me, today. I am not scientist or weather specialist but the snow in April reminded me today that all seems a bit off kilter in the world, but also that the seasons and the weather can evoke so much within us.
Snow where I live, is a novelty, I just posted a tiny film called a REEL on my Instagram grid and even found a song by Prince called ‘Sometimes it Snows in April’. I don’t know the whole song, but he mentions sadness. Snow is cold but also quite beautiful and it made me think about the hard things that fall softly over time, losses and memories that seep into us and what we can do to ‘weather’ the various storms, gentle or strong, sudden or pervasive that happen upon us.
This weekend was a series of mini rollercoasters for me, from elation to disappointment with a mixture of suspense and suspicion.
Having been living in an isolated kind of online party for the last year, growing increasingly busy with half real-life connections has sharpened my senses in a way and although I am, like so many, looking forward to meeting people ‘In real life’ again, even as an extrovert I feel, to be honest, quite nervous.
So, what can be an answer to all these questions? I don’t know about you, but for me routine, having some ‘same things’ that happen the same way at the same time every day is a must. I let my nurturing daily yoga practice slide for a week, I missed logging in to writer’s hour with The London Writer’s Salon and just those two things that have re-started my day today; feel SO helpful now that I am back to them!
I have made some plans to meet dear friends outside soon. Sending WhatsApp voice messages and doing some LIVES on Instagram have weirdly helped me keep hold of my voice. I don’t live alone, but gosh that must feel even more surreal. If I did, I am sure I would be making best friends with the post person etc.
So today, I hope the snow doesn’t feel too cold for you. In my paintings and drawings, the theme of clouds and rain/tears crops up time and time again, I go with it. Snow has a different kind of falling, both light and substantial at the same time, leaving a visible coating to remind us where it fell. I think I’ll make some snowy pictures today and think about it some more.
By the way, I’ve just been listening to the full song by Prince and it’s about someone called Tracey that he lost! Spooky synchronicity strikes again… and now I find myself thinking about my own Father who I barely knew and barely knew me either, I’ve honestly not really considered what he might have felt about losing me, which in a way he did.
Anyway, the snow has melted now, and the sun is breaking through the clouds and I can see some blue sky. I hope today is kind to you. x