As emerging artists I often hear that because of the artists need to earn a living they don't have a lot of time to spend in their studios.  I live in the Denver Metro Area and today we're having a blizzard so all I see when I look out my window is white.  It's truly a blank canvas.

There are a couple of things to consider on a day like this to take full advantage of the time mother nature has given us.  One of things I like to play with when I design a piece is texture and pattern.  I have two dogs, one is part husky and she loves being out in the snow.  The tracks she makes when she goes out for a romp in the snow creates great organic patterns that I can take a picture of from indoors and put it in my sketch book.  It also allows me to think about working monochromatically since everywhere I look all I see is white.

The other part about creating with a blank canvas is that you can really think about how you will work with shadows.  The light bounces a lot across the snow and with the gray sky you can see how the moguls and snow drifts create shadows.

I hope when you have a day like this if you don't have to go to work that you spend some time in your studio.  Most of us are past the age when our primary goal on a snow day is to create snow angels.  Utilize this time as a gift and don't forget to think about not only creating the work, but how you'll get it out for the rest of the world to see.

Stay warm...
Greg