Winter’s rhythm ~ slow down, rest more, find comfort in simpler, quieter routines. Allow your bodies and spirits to embrace this season of rest and rejuvenation.
This winter has been the mildest we’ve had in years here in the Creston Valley. Instead of snow, we’ve been greeted with steady rain and softer temperatures that feel almost spring-like. Over the past week, the return of robins and starlings has been a welcome surprise — robins scattered across the yard and flower beds, busy searching for berries and bits of winter food. Their presence feels like a quiet reminder that even in mid-January, something new is already stirring.
It's been a welcome change to this time of year as I continue to embrace a slower, reflective month. I invite you to join me in savoring the beauty of this slower season.
Here are a few ways I’m leaning into winter’s softer rhythm this month.
1. Cozy Creativity Retreats
Winter invites us to wrap ourselves in blankets, sip something warm, and let creativity unfold without urgency. I’ve been creating a cozy corner in my studio where I can explore new ideas simply for the pleasure of it—no deadlines, no expectations.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with acrylic gouache paints, and I’m loving their silky, smooth quality. The flat, velvety finish feels beautifully illustrative and brings a softness to my work that feels just right for this season. They’re also easier to photograph—always a welcome bonus.
Creative tip:
Start a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a winter ritual in my home. Puzzles encourage focus, patience, and problem-solving—and they’re a comforting way to spend quiet evenings together.
2. Reflective Art Journaling
January is a natural time for reflection and gentle intention-setting. I often turn to my art journal during this month, allowing thoughts, sketches, and experiments to flow freely across the page.
This winter, I’ve been testing different weights of French and English watercolour paper alongside my new paints, noticing how each surface responds. These small explorations often lead to unexpected ideas—some of which will quietly find their way into future paintings, including my evolving wreath series.
Creative tip:
Try Morning Pages, a practice from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Writing three longhand pages each morning clears mental clutter and creates space for new ideas. I’m happily revisiting this practice again this January.
3. Nature-Inspired Walks
Even on the coldest days, stepping outside can be wonderfully grounding. Bundled up walks through this winters landscape offers a different kind of beauty—subtle, quiet, and deeply restorative.
I often find inspiration in bare branches, which makes it easy to spot and watch the birds who remain active through the season. Watching chickadees and jays on my walks never fails to lift my spirits. And the joy of the early return of Robins and Starlings is an added bonus. Sometimes I’ll take photographs or collect small natural details to inspire future mixed media work.
4. Gentle Movement & Seasonal Wellness
Winter creativity is supported by caring for the body as much as the imagination. This season, I’ve been leaning into gentle movement—especially yoga—which helps keep me grounded, flexible, and energized during shorter days.
Paired with fresh air, stretching, and moments of stillness, these small wellness rituals help maintain balance and support creative flow through the winter months.
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.”
— Edith Sitwell
5. Artistic Self-Care
Winter is also an invitation to nurture your creative spirit. That might mean exploring new art supplies, visiting a local gallery or gift shop, or taking yourself out for a quiet lunch date—something I always treasure.
Noticing what resonates, what feels comforting, and what draws your eye can be deeply nourishing. These moments of observation often quietly shape our creative direction in ways we don’t immediately realize.
“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.”
— John Boswell
As we move through January, I hope you’ll allow yourself to rest, reflect, and create at your own pace. Winter is not a pause in your creative journey—it’s a season of quiet preparation, where ideas gently take root and wait for their time to bloom.
Wishing you warmth, inspiration, and a creatively nourishing winter season.
❤️
Warm regards,
Artist Laura Leeder
I create whimsical, carefree art that uplifts your spirits and beautifies your walls with colour and joy all year long.
A small winter gift for you:
Introducing The Heart in Bloom — a new wreath print inspired by quiet renewal and the promise of what’s to come. ♥️GET YOUR FREE PRINT
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