Seasons. Reflection from 2020.

 

Hello blog. Are You still here? It has been a while since we last met. But there is a reason. You know the pandemic Covid19? That is the root problem of the lack of posts around here last year. My moves have been very limited. Daily walk from home to studio and once a week to the grocery store. One would be very lucky to see any relevant street style on these short moments. I simply have not seen anything worth a drawing. No street style around.

But I have drawn other stuff. Like taking part in a nature history drawing course and taking part of Inktober on Instagram last October. Those were fun, but they are not street style. Therefore I have not much to bring to this table. And to be true my head rolls more and more around patterns, my true love. My handle in IG is @sanna_pyykko, if you’d like to look through the other drawing stuff.

The image of this post is one of the inktober posts. It tells a story of the fashion in the 80’s. The afro hairdo was very fashionable that time and it looked like this in Finland. One of the kind electric shock style. I had a cousin that was six years older than me. I admired her haido that looked exactly like this. But, to Finnish slippery hair quality it really needed a strong permanent to get this coiffure.

This year is the tenth since I started this blog in 2011. If the world stays as it is now, the anniversary will not be very bold. Let's see how it goes.

As the New Year begins, I wish You All Good. Stay healthy and remember to be your own star.

On the Street. Messenger of Spring, Lauttasaari, Helsinki

One of these mornings I noticed some 300 meters away a bright green spot coming closer in every step. The days had been grey and therefor a green spot like that woke me up from my inner thoughts. I went on curiously waiting what will it be while walking ahead. And then eventually I passed this green spirit. Like a messenger from Spring itself, convincing that Oh Yes, the Spring is just around the corner.

On the Street. Never Ending November, Lauttasaari, Helsinki

This year in Helsinki the winter has not been the same as it used to be. No frost, no snow. Mostly only grey days, rain and wind.

I have seen this character on my home street regularly walking head down, hood on the head, no face to see, dressed in totally black protective equipment to fight against the somewhat hostile weather type. Slowly walking to the seashore and back.

I admit. The feeling is like never ending November has hit this corner of the world, Helsinki. Is this the future along with the climate change? Just thinking…

On the Street. Lady With Golden Bag, Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki

Where is the sun? For many days this has been an essential question here in Helsinki Finland. Grey days are the norm at the beginning of the year. Therefor, when this lady walked toward me on one of these grey days, I thought she was carrying the blue sky that was caught in her jacket, and she carried the sun in her golden bag. Oh, the bag was glittering!

It’s up to her, when she decides to release the the two, sunshine and blue sky. I’m just waiting.

On the Street. Be Aware, Little Granny, Lauttasaari Helsinki

We are living dangerous times in Helsinki. The streets are covered with thin layer of snow and the danger lurks under the snow. If you are not in guard the rough layer of ice makes the trick. Suddenly you may wonder laying on the ground, what was the last idea before the carpet was pulled away under the feet.

The headlines on metro news screen tell that there are queues on health center because of numerous falling injuries. The old people are in line of fire. The bones are in danger to crack. In these feelings I saw this little granny far away going slowly towards grocery store. Heartbreaking sight. I’m glad she had the rolling walker to secure the road.

On the Street. Winter Bye-Bye, Kamppi, Helsinki.

This is the feeling. Winter bye-bye. Would you please go on your way to somewhere else than Helsinki? It has been cold days recently. So cold that I read on the news that even the migratory birds rather turn back from Finland’s border. Too cold, let’s wait for a while, they seem to think. Right now it is even snowing. Sigh.

This fragile lady in black outfit felt like a relative to the character from Ghibli anime Spirited Away, Faceless. Dressed in black, slightly sad face. Google it if you don’t know it. Fits good in the mood of cold April in Helsinki this year.

Seasons. December Weather Girl Portrait.

So it is last month of the year and time for December Weather Girl. In December Finland  the weather may vary depending how north you are staying. While in Helsinki it may be plus temperatures and no snow in sight, in northern part of the Finland the frost freeze your nose and conditions are perfect for skiing. In Lapland the sky is flaming in northern lights.

Just before Christmas is the winter solstice, also known as midwinter. It is an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. After that moment we know we are moving towards brighter days.

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In Finland each month has its own character and weather type. Four main seasons, but even each month has something of their own.

This is the last weather girl portrait of the series. All 12 months is covered now. If you like to see the other girls click the tag ”seasons” below.

Seasons. November Weather Girl Portrait.

Meet Miss November Weather Girl. If you ask me, November is the most challenging month in Finland. In southern Finland there is only 6 hours daylight and the higher to north you go the less light there is. In Lapland the sun doesn’t rise at all.

In addition there is rain in all forms, water, slush and snow. And the darkness. Did I mention the darkness? This mixture is affecting in people’s minds and in some cases even affecting winter blues. But then arrives a random bright day or a few hours of sunshine removing wrinkles between the eyes. Oh, life is good.

One strategy to meet November is simply decide to love it. About this point of view there is a previous post in Flash For Zonzon:
Seasons. November Blue Love Poem.

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In Finland each month has its own character and weather type. Four main seasons, but even each month has something of their own.

If you want to see the whole series click the tag ”seasons” below.

On the Street. Friend of Totoro, Kamppi, Helsinki.

At the moment looking for fab street style is a bit challenging in Helsinki. Now that November has shown it’s true nature, the snow has disappeared and all we have left is wet dark days. Personally I don’t mind that. I love grey and minimalist tones of color.

One night I was seeking a bus to ride home from town. Far away I saw a big, somehow familiar silhouette waiting for a bus as well. Is it a friend of Totoro waiting for a cat bus?

Seasons. October Weather Girl Portrait.

May I introduce Miss October Weather Girl. October is time for big change in Finland. First the colours in nature start to lose green, revealing bright yellow, red and different shades of brown. Mornings are crisp and sky is more often grey than blue as October progresses.

At the end of October nearly all the tree leaves have fallen and remain naked tree trunks. It is fun to wade in the flood of fallen leaves. It is time to look for gloves, woolen scarf and cover head with something warm. The surrounding changes dramatically and the whole colour map changes muted. The mind settles down waiting for winter to arrive.

* * *

In Finland each month has its own character and weather type. Four main seasons, but even each month has something of their own.

If you want to see the whole series click the tag ”seasons” below.

Seasons. September Weather Girl Portrait.

September is time to settle down to autumn season in Finland. No hassle, life starts to flow on it’s natural paths. The weather is not particular cold or warm. September gives pleasant sunny days that one can be thankful for. Oh, what a sunny day it is! On the mind’s back knocks the image of soon approaching darkness that is evident when autumn continues further.

But there is still time to enjoy pleasant outdoor life wandering in parks and woods on weekends, picking mushrooms, doing the last canoe trip of the season.

We even had an official ”sleep night outdoor” -day in September 17th in Finland. Suomen Latu − The Outdoor Association of Finland is the organisation behind the idea. The Sleep Night Outdoor -event pays attention to everyman's rights, which able everybody to enjoy the Finnish nature. You can sleep outdoors in a national park, at a camping site or even in your own yard, if you have one.

On social media the hashtag is #nukuyöulkona if you want to check how the event looks like in social media.

* * *

In Finland each month has its own character and weather type. Four main seasons, but even each month has something of their own.

If you want to see the whole series click the tag ”seasons” below.

Seasons. August Weather Girl Portrait.

Let me introduce you Miss August Weather Girl. Or should I say Lady. In August summer has matured to full age. The mindset is two-way. Feeling miserable because of the last moments of summer season, and on the other hand, eager to see what is behind the next corner. Holidays are over. Kids start the school again.

The weather turns variable. Sudden rain showers and next moment sun’s warming rays dry the puddles. The wind turns colder so a cardigan is a good companion. Just when you think it is the end of summer, August gives surprising consolation in the form of Indian Summer. That means warm evenings and plenty of sunshine.

Roses turn to rose hips. It is harvest time. Woods offers yellow gold in the form of chanterelles and apple trees and berry bushes are full of yield. It is busy time for the ones who like to save the taste of summer to freezer.

* * *
In Finland each month has its own character and weather type. Four main seasons, but even each month has something of their own.

If you want to see the whole series click the tag ”seasons” below.

Seasons. July Weather Girl Portrait.

Well Hello July Weather Girl. It is time to enjoy the sunny days and the sun really feels hot-hot-hot. Many of us Finns have their summer vacation in July. it is time for new adventures, free time, meeting friends and distant relatives. People escape to summer cottages to enjoy the nature. Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries ripen. July is the time to load batteries in the green woods and the thousand lake sides all over Finland.

In Finland each month has its own character and weather type. Four main seasons, but even each month has something of their own.

Seasons. June Weather Girl Portrait.

May I present you Miss June in my Weather Girl portrait series. June is the first official summer month in Finland. High hopes is set for June. Like oooh, the warmth will come… and the sun will shine… picnics in the park… chilling outdoors… nature blooming… All of this is possible. But then, it may occur that the temperatures stay quite low and stormy rainy days is a norm.

It is a risky business to arrange an outdoor festival in June. Like last Saturday Helsinki Samba Carnaval had simply awful weather. Still the wet dancers were brave and did their performance in good spirit. And the loyal fan club like me with my daughters stood in the rain and strong wind enjoying the show. Wet and happy.

Capricious is June. Therefor this lady has a bit strict expression. Around her head is a flower wreath, woven with the natural flowers, which nature offers plenty. Birch wood frames the background.

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This is already sixth in the Weather Girl portrait series. In Finland we have four main seasons, but even each month has a character of their own. By the end of the year we have all twelve sisters together. Here is a link to the Introduction of Weather Girl Portrait series, if you are interested.

Seasons. May Weather Girl Portrait.

It is weird. Often when May starts it is like magic. Suddenly days are warm, almost every day is sunny day, temperatures are 10 to 15 degrees warmer than last week. Fast adopters go in shorts and T-shirt when slower still uses down jackets. Flowers arise, blue Anemone Hepaticas, white Wood Anemones and Dandelions give joy. Here we have a May Weather Girl.

Seasons. April Weather Girl Portrait.

Let me present you Miss April in my Weather Girl portrait series. It comes a little late, but it’s all right because also spring has been late. In April the weather is very capricious in Finland. One day delightful moments in sunshine and the next day opposite, mist, rain and freezing wind is blowing in the collar. The last patches of snow melt and migratory birds return. The listening experience is filled with seagulls squall.

Here is a link to the Introduction of Weather Girl Portrait series.

Seasons. March Weather Girl Portrait.

Hi, let’s continue with the Weather Girl portrait series. Just in time to present Miss March before new month will begin tomorrow. March contains a promise of spring. Still cold in Finland, but the amount of light increases day to day. Willow Catkins embellish the woods and verges.

Seasons. Weather Girl Portraits.

I organized a little at my studio and came across the old drawings. There was three imaginary portraits made with black ink. I remember that I thought that they were some kind of horoscope girls when I drew them. But they lack all the symbolism of astronomy and horoscopes. Therefore, they are, rather, the Weather Girls.

You know, in Finland each month has its own character and weather type. Four main seasons, but even each month has something of their own. The first lady is Miss January, ice cold. The second is Miss February, snowstorm. In the future we shall see what kind is the character of the rest of the months.

Interesting is to see, if I can still catch the style of these illustrations. However, they are drawn more that ten years ago. Anyway, it will be a nice project.

On the Street. Mickey Mouse Beanie, Ruttopuisto, Helsinki.

6-10th January was time for Lux Helsinki Festival. It’s the happening where light artwork is arranged along the route in city center. For this year the happening is past and gone, but you can still make it through Lux Helsinki -website. Thousands of people wandered along the route in crisp frost weather, when I attended on last day. All age groups together enjoying of the light visions.

I saw this young lady In Ruttopuisto along the route. Bobble hat with two pom poms made her beanie look like Mickey Mouse headpiece. This piece would be nice knitting DIY-project. Alternatively you can pimp a random black beanie with two handmade black bobbles.

Seasons. Frozen January, Keskuskatu, Helsinki.

It seems to be a rule. January comes and so does true winter frost and Russian tourists. Headlines screamed: Siberia frost sweeps Finland. And it really has felt like it with frost measurements going down to 25 degrees below zero.

In this illustration is a lady that I saw in Keskuskatu doing some window shopping while waiting friends. To me it seemed that the winter itself has settled down to the pattern of the padded coat. Freezing temperatures makes the colors of air and clouds minimal and crisp. The color palette of the wintertime surroundings is pretty much like in this picture.

For the past few days we have had a beautiful snowfall as well. It feels like 3D animation movie while looking at the snowflakes dance behind the window. Hypnotic and chance to have a mindfulness moment when you stand by really looking at it.