Spring is almost here

Helleborus flower, ink

It took a while for a spring to become perceptible at least in the air this year. All the schools were ready for a warm-up by the end of February - so when the first storm hit us they generously gave children two snow days. But then the second and the third storm came and the trees started falling, which affected the wires (quite negatively) - go figure... People without electricity, all the school days are used up by now and the snow mountains near the malls are - wow - at least twice taller than the tallest person (not to mention me, it would be what - three times?).

Probably to conquer the feeling of cold or just because our friends came to us and brought tons of flowers with them (you probably have heard the myth about Russian friends always bringing something when you invite them over - well - it's not exactly "the myth") I started to draw and paint flowers. This seems to be some sort of basic home magic - it's snowing outside and I am painting flowers. It continues to snow - I am drawing flowers! And, although I'm afraid to say too soon, but it seems my magic works! I can feel the spring in the air! The snowbanks are melting and birds are singing, all that stuff which tells you - spring is around the corner.

                  Irises, painting on a mirror

This binge flower painting and drawing thing - it doesn't happen to me that often. But it's such a nice thing to do - the flowers are so beautiful, soft and delicate, and I can swear that my grandmother - the wonderful textile artist and frequent flower painter - is smiling to me from the skies while I am working on the next petal, pistil or stem...