Growing through the Grey; Iain Clark.

Universe in a Forest.

Growth in Space.

At almost two weeks into the new year, I find myself musing on the nature of this month and the effect it often has on people. January prompts us to make a fresh start, make resolutions, and better ourselves. But it's also often quite a bleak time of year - a grey month to grow through before things can really begin to get better.

These paintings by UK artist Iain Clark encapsulate this feeling for me - skeletal trees striking out for the sky, and ghostly tendrils of growth in the gloom. I do think January can be a difficult and dark time of year. Maybe it's all a question of reconciling fear of the future with finding motivation.