New Years & Sky Dreaming
Hi, loves….
It’s almost a New Year. I can feel the changes in my bones. The weather is shifting here a bit, with rain and cooler winds. The leaves are almost all gone, but it’s still green on the rolling hills. I don’t remember a winter this particularly green in a very long time and I do like it. Today’s weather is particularly foggy and tranquil with a sort of mist settling in the air. It makes me feel so cozy and warm inside at my desk, but as someone who really comes to life when the sun is shining, days and even months of grey skies like these can be rather taxing on my spirit and creativity. BUT as a New Year calls for resolutions, one of mine is – no matter the circumstances outside – to create the sunshine myself!
I’ve got certain ways I plan to do this and different areas I’m particularly interested in. My mind, my body, my soul, my mental and spiritual health, my creativity and physical connection to the earth… those are some of the things I’m thinking about. One element I know is particularly of interest to me is the sky. Every night I stare out at the stars and it’s a sort of love affair. In the mornings, as long as I wake up in time, I stare again at the glowing rays just emerging over the hills. During the day I scan the sky and watch clouds drifting by, birds flying around, hawks swooping, and squirrels leaping from tree limb to limb. In the evening, as I gaze at the stars, I hear wind whirling, rain softly falling, owls hooting, and coyotes howling. It’s truly so inspiring to me to just take in the brilliant sky.
When I lived in California just minutes from the ocean, I used to drive up to the tip top of the tallest places I could find in order to watch the skies over the city from way up high. I’ve done the same thing anywhere I’ve lived in Ohio or West Virginia. I just have to get to the highest points and look down. When I travel, I do the same, always looking for a good vantage point. I remember on the Great Wall of China, which is incredibly steep in places, looking down at the mountains with steam flowing around the trees, in the way you see so often depicted in ancient scroll artworks, and thinking, I’m actually on top of the world! I felt similar in Paris standing at the top of the Arc de Triomphe overlooking the city, in England atop the White Cliffs of Dover where I climbed down and walked in the sea, at the Grand Canyon where it was slippery with ice and dusted with snow, hiking on cliffs around Ireland where the green lands, blue waters, and sweet smelling winds literally brought tears to my eyes. So many of my sharpest memories involve the sky and heights, and what is so ridiculous is that I am so scared of heights!
But you know what? I just have to go and do these things, no matter how scared I am. I am even a little scared to fly, but every time I’m on a plane, I watch the whole take off and landing and am constantly looking out the windows. Why? Just think, that was somebody’s dream. To fly. And it’s so common place now that people take it for granted. Well, I don’t. I think, even if I’m scared, I’m looking out because someone at some point wanted to do that so badly and didn’t get the chance. I used to dream I could fly and maybe I could in some other lifetime. But for now my feet are on the ground, but I’ll let my imagination go soaring through the skies.
And speaking of skies, one of my favorite artists, Maxfield Parrish, had a most intriguing way of depicting dreamy pinks and blues in his skies. They’re soft and surreal. Maybe I’ll talk a little bit more about his process next time, but I’ve got to go do my own painting! I think I might just do a sky as a warm up, for good measure…
I wonder what your resolution(s) is/are? What keeps you inspired? What gets you to start creating? Maybe those are good questions to focus on if you aren’t sure of a resolution yet!
Well, I’m off to paint paint paint.. but I hope you have a happy/fun/peaceful/creative/love filled/inspiring New Years and I’m sending ALL the positive vibes out for 2022…
🖤Rachel
PS: The pic is of Dolly Sods Wilderness are in the Allegheny Mountains. It’s a fantastic place to hike and feel at peace. I recommend.