Latest Painting: More Than The Weather

The simple phrase in my most recent painting came to mind after I’d received news that a friend’s parents had passed away, another friend’s brother had passed away, and a third friend’s grandpa had moved onto the afterlife. A few of my other friends seemed to be having a generally rough week as well. All these life changes were swirling around in my head as numerous people stopped by my office that week. A startling number of them solely talked about the weather. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve mentioned the weather far too often myself; during the 1 minute walk to the car with my grocery bagger, I can barely think of anything to discuss with them besides, “At least it’s not raining today…bet you’re happy you’re staying dry…oh…thanks for carrying that raw chicken with such poise…” Of course when the seasons change there are little comments that are bound to escape from my lips, “Can you believe how warm it is?” or “I LOVE SNOW!”  I guess I’d understand constant weather related conversations if I was chatting with a full-fledged meteorologist or storm chaser. For those of us who aren’t up at 4am to track and report blizzards, or record unseasonably warm spring temperatures, let’s talk about more. I know, below the surface level weather comments, there’s a rich well of conversation waiting. “More Than The Weather” is just a simple mantra and reminder to ask deeper questions of the folks I see ever day, and remain vulnerable enough to honestly share my own ups and downs. In the light of the fragility of life, there’s so much more than the weather to share.

Tagged as: artist, Graphic Designer Fremont Michigan, painting