Dreaming of a Sunny Day

I made this piece this winter based on a picture I took in the fall when the weather was warmer. Through print monotype, I created the scene of the trees, using a paintbrush to add texture and darkness to the areas that needed it. For the background, I used transparent watercolor ground to create a surface I could paint on. With the sun peeking out from behind the trees and clouds, I wanted to create a sense of longing for its warmth and light as it begins to set. In dreaming of a warm and sunny day, the winter feels just a little bit less cold because there’s something to look forward to when the ground thaws. Dreaming to me is a way of getting through hard times, making a silver lining appear out of the clouds, and that makes it into a powerful force in my life. Combining my art with my dreams gives me something tangible to put them into, creating a physical reminder that there is almost always something good on the way, just like the promise of a sunny day at the end of a cold winter.