An Instagram Update

-The Very Long Winter-

I'd like to give you a brief update on life here in my world.
Winter seems to have a strong grip on us.  We are weary of snow, ice, slush, and cold.  With serious effort, a positive attitude is being attempted so we can keep on with life.  We've had the most heavy and steady snowfall since a week prior to Christmas.  The amount of snowfall and wind have been a challenge not only here but worse in neighboring communities nearer the mountains.  We have had severe cold temperatures that kept the snow from being able to melt off at all.

The view through the windshield on Saturday as we drove south for a day out...out of the house and out of town. We are past ready for spring but doing our best to hang on until warmer days arrive in Montana. I will be so glad to be done with bundling up daily! Keep reminding myself that spring and summer and fall are worth freezing my bum off now.

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Feb 26, 2018 at 4:46pm PST

Beautiful colors in sky and land...shadows with snow are always eye catching to me. This was a county road which is why it's less travelled. It was great to take a drive and see wide open spaces.

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Mar 4, 2018 at 8:34pm PST

Snow as far as the eye can see. We enjoy every bit of blue sky...and sunshine. This was taken late afternoon yesterday. The amount of snow here is hard to describe. Ditches along the road are filled plus snow drifts are another 4 to 10+ feet high. So relieved and thankful for stories of people helping out neighbors with plowing often.

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Mar 4, 2018 at 8:40pm PST

I try to remember to keep my eyes watching for the beauty in what seems much like Narnia.

Having a bit of fun with the view through frosted glass window. Love the intricately laced patterns and just hints of the tree across the front lawn.like

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Mar 2, 2018 at 4:49pm PST

Outdoor temperature reads -14 F as I drove kids to school this morning. There are the most beautiful and intricately detailed etchings of frost on the glass in our front door. Trying to find the blessings in this new day. #thecreativelife #beautifulfrostyday #summermakesupforwinter #isitaprilyet #shemustmakeart

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Feb 9, 2018 at 7:59am PST

Local weather conditions: more snow. We had a couple of warmer days (30ish degrees for highs) with sunshine. Now this morning, snowfall has returned again. We're hanging on and believing spring will be here eventually. #snowonsnowonsnow #marchsnowinmontana #sonistiredofshoveling #goodforfarmers # goingtobeamuddyspring #springwillcomeeventually

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Mar 2, 2018 at 8:39am PST

There is a lot of wonderful detail in the frost, snow drifts, and shadows created in winter weather. Still, we'll be thankful to put the snow shovel away for a brief 6 or 7 months. Our first snow usually arrives in October.

It's much worse in other places, closer to the mountains. We live in town and on the prairies at lower elevation. More trees mean less drifting in our neighborhood. Thankful for our son's willingness to help with shoveling walkways. He's getting tired of the constant request though... #winterinmontana #snowonsnowonsnow #belowzerotemps #thanksforshoveling #cozywarmhometoday #springwillcomeeventually

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Feb 20, 2018 at 9:32am PST

I am now back to work as the nanny for a local family. My first week of full time adventure with three beautiful kiddos is behind me. It's the best kind of tiring "work" with lots of hugs and cuddles. This past week we worked on a leprechaun trap and I baked banana muffins. We played games and watched Sesame Street among many other daily activities.

Today is a very special day! We are making a leprechaun trap! Sparkle and bright colors are making this one hard to resist. Inside, the goodies, Lucky Charms cereal is our bait. We're almost done but now we wait for glue to dry.

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Mar 16, 2018 at 10:54am PDT

While youngest kiddo was napping today, I baked up banana muffins. It's really great to be back at work! Love this family and the friendship that's an added blessing. I'm grateful for having fun and laughs while I work as a daytime nanny. #marypoppinskindavibe #bakingismything #getmoredonewhilehenaps #reallythankful

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Mar 13, 2018 at 5:29pm PDT

Now, before you get all concerned about me losing out on my art creating time and space...I have been giving this some serious effort! I am staying hopeful that my creative energy will still get put to good use in the next few months. Are you on Instagram? You might want to follow me there because I'm most actively sharing what I'm painting on my Instagram account.

Hollyhocks in watercolor are very close to completion now. After I had focused on touching up whites and pulling out more dark details, I stopped for the day. There comes a point where more work is not really needed...and mistakes come easier. #thecreativelife #artstudiotoday #shemustmakeart #hollyhocksinwatercolor

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Mar 7, 2018 at 3:28pm PST

Painting on Yupo with watercolor is a great exercise in working more loosely with the brush. I am finding it more enjoyable each time I come back to this surface. It's not paper at all. It's a plastic surface and color lifts and moves so easily. #thecreativelife #artstudiotoday #shemustmakeart #yupopaper #montanasummer

A post shared by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Mar 7, 2018 at 4:01pm PST

It's difficult for me to be away from my blog.  I enjoy being able to write about my adventures with watercolor.  So I'm so glad the number of views and comments continues to grow because this is my way to sharing with other creatives in this fantastic journey.  Hopefully, I'll be able to share my own spring views soon with vibrant green shoots of new life sprouting up from the earth.  The new blossoms will be bursting open to be loved and enjoyed once more.  I'll be able to capture these glimpses of the seasons changing from sleepy winter to sunlit spring.  Here in northern Montana, we're longing for the warmth and glow of sunshine, longer days, and easier travel from one side of town to the other.

Christy
She must make art.