Artists are inspired by nature, but sometimes nature creates perfect works of art on its own. Snowflakes are not only beautiful in their form and structure, they are also amazing because of the way they are created out of nothing, from moisture crystallizing around tiny specks of dirt. Their resemblance to plants and leaves is remarkable, and yet snowflakes are not living. Nature is filled with common patterns and structures if you look for them.
Here are some snowflake photos collected by Kenneth G. Libbrecht over at SnowCrystals.com, where you can learn about the history of snowflake photography and watch a time-lapse film of a snowflake forming.The next time you see snowflakes fall from the sky, think of the tiny, tiny crystals that make up each piece, miniature works of art that are free and plentiful, if only temporary.
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Art © by John Lechner
Art © by John Lechner
Footnote: Recent Interviews
On a personal note, I recently did two blog interviews, where I talked about my books, my artwork, and all the other projects I’m working on. All of the questions were great and really made me think. If you would like to learn more about me and my work, follow the links below:
My interview at BriMeetsBooks
My interview at Wendy Martin Illustration
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To kick off this wintry new year, here is a poem by Emily Dickinson, who was no stranger to the outdoors. Throughout her roughly 1,700 poems, she described nature in her own singular way, as someone who has quietly observed it all her life. This particular poem is written as a riddle, never explicitly stating the subject, though I think you’ll guess.
