Spring returns?

"Approaching Ides" by Hilary J. England
oil on canvas, 8" x 11" 2014

I've been absent.  I know this, but I didn't really care. The depression that consumed me after New Year's was so deep, it chipped away at me until it rendered me completely beaten down.  I didn't even want to get out of my bed, let alone look at the window--the relentless march of snowstorms, Polar vortexes, cabin fever, busted plumbing and other assorted problems that needed to be addressed just drove me into the comfort of my own mind, where I lounged for days, forsaking everything.  I can do that.  I don't have little kids haha.... I just didn't care.

After getting my butt whupped by the flu in January, the physical recovery took a few weeks which seemed endless, and that was the last of my juice.  So, when the warm weather, or at least the promise of it, poked it's head up like a groundhog through the snowy dirt, initially I thought nothing of it, but each passing day perked me up a little more, knowing that I could go outside and paint again...I couldn't through this Winter...it was too extreme, and barring one day here or there, I couldn't do anything constant, and that added to my depression, deeply.  I hate feeling trapped--and that's what I felt like: a rat in a trap.

So, at last the weather is arriving, and I feel in fine spirits along with the return of Spring.  I did several paintings today, as I am super charged (and bipolar LOL) with the promise of warm, fine weather, and languid nights.  This one above is the first:  "Approaching Ides."  It was hazy this morning, really high key and saturated despite the burn of fog in the desolate farm field.  Yet, right under the surface, you know, just by the look and smell, the flood of life is starting to percolate...~Enjoy!