Hello Spring



Tulips in the Neighborhood
photo by Angela Marie Morton

Springtime is a time of rejuvenation, and is the perfect season for a reset. Signs of renewal and rebirth are everywhere, serving as gentle and encouraging reminders of the cyclical nature of life. It is a time to open the windows and let the fresh air in, and to change the sheets from flannel to linen. I love getting organized and refreshing spaces, both mental and physical.

While I appreciate and enjoy the cleansing and joyful feeling the spring season brings, I can’t help but associate this time of year with two events that have had a huge impact on my life: WHO’s declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic which had, and continues to have, a devastating effect on my life and the lives of so many around the globe, and the death of a loved one, eighteen years ago this year.

And, of course, there is Easter. The story of Easter is one of the most compelling of all time. Our household acknowledges Holy Week by listening to Gregorian chants, classical music with an Easter or religious theme, and watching films relating to Christianity or Easter. During this season, I also read a few books on Christian spirituality, and focus my daily meditation on Christian practices.  

As for my art and illustration work during the spring, there are a few things I like to do, aside from creating art itself: revisit my list of companies and agencies I plan on submitting work to, research any additional places I can reach out to, and freshen up my portfolio.

The art I create at this time of year tends to have a spring vibe to it, with a color palette of yellows, greens, and pinks. I recently designed an Easter card, as well as a spring-themed card, and have ideas for several more designs that are suited to the season, which I hope to create in the coming weeks. 

I update my portfolio throughout the year as I continue to create new works, and I do a thorough revamp twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. I take time to curate each section and make any necessary aesthetic changes to the layout. Once that has been done, maintaining it regularly is simple. I recently finished my spring portfolio revamp and crossed it off my list, which felt great.

As I write this, it is decidedly un-spring-like here in the Pacific Northwest. I am wearing a cozy sweater, and have a blanket wrapped around me while I sip hot tea and watch the rain hit my balcony. But, I know that in the coming days it will warm up (at least enough to discard the blanket), and signs of life will be everywhere on my daily neighborhood walks. The inherent optimism of spring is undeniable, even on the darkest of days. 




   


Popular posts from this blog

Series: A Capsule Kitchen: An Introduction + Minimalist Everyday Bread Recipe

Image
  This is the first post in a new series I’ve opted to call “A Capsule Kitchen”, which I will be incorporating into my blog every other month. Typically, I write about art and creativity, with the occasional off-topic piece peppered in for a bit of variety. This year, I came up with the idea of “A Capsule Kitchen”, and thought it would be a fun addition. Each post in the series will feature a tried-and-true recipe that is in regular rotation in my household. For the introduction of the series, I thought it might be helpful to provide some context and a brief background, before starting things off with a simple staple recipe. My husband and I eat a vegan diet, and I do the cooking and baking, which I enjoy, especially now that I have a curated collection of trusty go-tos we both like and that are easy to prepare. We are decidedly unfancy when it comes to our food preferences, both by choice and necessity, which will be clear from the recipes I will be sharing. I decided to call the ...
Read more

Series: A Capsule Kitchen: Minimalist Cornbread

Image
This simple and humble cornbread is one of my husband's favorites, so I typically bake it once or twice a week. I have it streamlined to just 5 ingredients, which are inexpensive and always on hand. Years ago, we occasionally bought cornbread, and I feel like such a sucker now, as making it at home is so easy, which is why I wanted to share this recipe for fluffy, yummy, cheap and easy cornbread.  Minimalist Cornbread Supplies 8” round baking pan Measuring cup Measuring spoons Spatual Mixing bowl Cooling rack or cutting board Ingredients ( Dry ) 1 cup all-purpose flour (whole wheat flour also works well, and gives it a bit of a rustic taste and  texture)  1 cup cornmeal 1 tablespoon baking powder ( Wet ) ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 cup water (I've used almond milk, but found water works just fine, and is much more cost-effective) Optional ingredients   Pinch of salt A drizzle of agave or maple syrup, if you like a sweeter flavor Grated vegan cheese or a sprinkling of nutri...
Read more

Series: A Capsule Kitchen: Vegan Chili Mac

Image
Vegan Chili Mac is one of our favorites, so we have it a few times a month. It is just my husband and myself in our household, so the amount I make is enough for several nights.  As is the case with most of recipes I use, this simple and cheap dinner is more of a template, rather than strict instructions to follow to the letter, which makes it pretty foolproof, and allows for additions or omissions depending on your preferences. Based on trial and error, we have settled on this combination of ingredients most of the time, with the occasional addition if we want try something different, or have something that needs to get used. Simple Vegan Chili Mac Ingredients 2 cups uncooked macaroni ½ cup dry red beans, or 1 15oz can, rinsed and drained. (I use dry beans because they are cost effective. A ½ cup dried will be about 2 cups cooked.) 1 15 oz can tomato sauce ¾-1  cup frozen corn (more/less, if desired) ¾-1  cup frozen kale (more/less if desired) 3 tablespoons chili powder ...
Read more