Nurturing Creativity in the Darkness of Winter
As the snow gently blankets the ground and the days grow shorter, winter offers an invitation to pause. In a world that moves too fast, this quiet season becomes a sanctuary for reflection and creativity. For me, winter is not a time of hibernation but a time of profound inspiration—a chance to listen to the whispers of stillness and translate them into beauty and peace.
The Power of Hitting Pause
In winter, nature slows to a near standstill. The trees stand bare, the fields rest, and the world is wrapped in a hush that feels almost sacred. This rhythm profoundly influences my creative process. I find myself leaning into a slower pace, allowing ideas to simmer, like the soup on my stove and evolve naturally.
Unlike the crazy bustle of spring planting or the vibrant rush of summer, winter encourages introspection. The stillness offers a chance to revisit unfinished works, refine techniques, and dive into creative exploration without the urgency of external demands. It’s in this space of pause that some of my most meaningful ideas take root and begin to grow.
Rituals That Nurture Creativity
Winter mornings often begin with a cup of coffee by the window, writing Morning Pages, occasionally gazing through the darkness and waiting for the sun to rise. This takes some time in Northern Alberta, and you’ll often find me (like this morning) slowing down and collecting my thoughts for the day. This quiet time becomes a meditation, a way to clear my mind before I pick up a brush. Inspiration can come from the delicate patterns of frost, the muted blues and grays of the landscape, or the stark silhouettes of trees against the pale sky.
Early mornings are also for sketching and conceptualizing. With fewer distractions, I allow myself the luxury of trial and error, filling pages with loose studies or detailed drawings. Sometimes, it’s not about the end product but about engaging with the process itself.
The rest of the day is reserved for painting, often with a focus on light and shadow. Winter’s subdued palette—soft whites, dusky purples, and charcoal grays—encourages a minimalist approach, teaching me to see beauty in simplicity.
Somewhere in there, I find time to teach and counsel my students, plan for the upcoming summer on the farm and get the ‘nitty grittys’ of the day done, not to mention chores and looking after the animals.
Lessons from Winter
Winter reminds me of the value of restraint. In painting, this translates to letting the negative space speak, knowing when to stop, and embracing imperfections. Just as the landscape is stripped down to its essentials, so too is my art. I try to simplify, echo the stillness and look for what is essential and necessary.
The season also fosters patience. A painting may sit untouched for days as I reflect on its direction….or there may be four or five in progress at the same time, patiently waiting their turn. In the same way that seeds lie dormant under the snow, awaiting the warmth of spring, creative ideas often need time to mature.
Inviting Winter’s Stillness Into Your Own Practice
Whether you’re an artist, writer, or simply someone seeking a deeper connection with creativity, winter’s stillness holds something for you. Here are a few ways to embrace its gifts:
- Observe the Season: Spend time outside, even in the cold. Take note of the way light shifts, the shapes of bare trees, or the quiet textures of snow. For me, the low angle of the sun offers unprecedented insight into new ways of seeing the world around me.
- Create a Winter Ritual: Set aside time each day to reflect, sketch, or journal. Let this practice become a touchstone for your creative process. Refer back to it when things get busy.
- Simplify Your Approach: Experiment with a limited palette (I’m enamoured with the Zorn palette) or focus on small, manageable projects that let you explore without pressure.
- Embrace Rest: Creativity isn’t always about making. Sometimes it’s about allowing yourself the time to dream, recharge, and gather inspiration. You have to make quiet space to hear, see and imagine what you can bring into being as an artist.
The Promise of Spring
While winter may feel endless and dark, it carries the promise of renewal. Each stroke of the brush, each moment of quiet reflection, is a step toward the vibrant energy of the seasons to come. By embracing winter’s stillness, I find that my creativity becomes deeper, more intentional, and ultimately more rewarding. And….I am getting older and I just plain need that rest for my body and my mind.
As the snow falls outside my studio this morning, I feel grateful for this time of pause—a time to listen, reflect, and create with a renewed sense of purpose.
What does winter inspire in you? I’d love to hear how this season shapes your creative process. Share your thoughts in the comments or tag me in your winter-inspired creations!
