Happy Winter Day!

Today we are going to think creatively with all this winter that surrounds us.  I think it’s so easy for winter weather to make us less creative, so today I want to use it for INSPIRATION!

Yes, today I would like you to ‘think outside the box’ and be inspired by snow, shades of gray and simplicity of landscape.  At first glance, it seems colorless and almost lifeless.  But… wait… there is beauty and inspiration there, we just have to slow down to take in all of the details. 

Okay, I know there are some readers who do not have snow outside their windows.  If that is you, I envy you a bit… but I believe you can still gain some inspiration from this post, so, please read on.  (Maybe consider remembering a time you were in a snowy landscape or browse some online resources- photos, blogs or the like, to find some wintery scenes to pull inspiration from. Try here at Anna Malin’s blog or here at haus maus .)

Now, for the details that will allow us to create in a new way….

In a typical winter scene, there seems to be lack of color, but it’s really abundant in color, one just has to spend some time really looking.  The twigs, trees and wood that are exposed have many shades of gray, brown, gold, tan, and even some purple or red hues in them.

Where there is snow that has fallen, it can be heavy and wet, icy and hard, or soft and clumped.  What do those textures represent?

Look at the sky… the various shades are determined a bit by the time of day.  Maybe some early morning pinks and purples, afternoon blues and grays, and possibly some evening color with a bit of orange or magenta.

How does the landscape lay?  Are you looking at fields of softly blanketed white, a backyard of greenery laden with heavy snow, or a city boulevard with homes and buildings lined up like soldiers along a snowy avenue?

Now that you’ve really spent a few minutes looking at the details, how can you use that information to inspire your creativity today?  What did you gain from looking at the scene outside your own door or window?

Can you imagine creating a piece of art with those colors, textures and details?  Would you like to take a photograph to capture the beauty?

Would you like to pull your gardening books and make plans to update your garden areas to better compliment a winter landscape?

Would you like to gather some friends and enjoy a day outdoors sledding or going on a quiet winter walk?

Are you compelled to plan a menu to incorporate hearty comfort foods to share with friends on a cold winters eve?

Would you like to nestle in and knit a sweater for someone special with the colors of winter?

Are you inspired to redecorate a bit, embracing the hues and textures outside your window?

Creativity can take us to new places.  When we take the time to really look at the details around us, we take those details with us to other parts of our lives.  We can be changed by nature and our surroundings when we slow down and take the time to welcome those bits of beauty that can often go unnoticed around us.

What beautiful things did today’s winter scene inspire you to do today?