Ēostre Lache, 2014 – Michaela Harlow – 11″ x 9″ pastel on paper (15″ x 11″)

Ostermonat, as April is often called in Germany, is of course a nod to Ostara, the pagan goddess of light. The name Easter, Ostra, or Ä’ostre, and many of the Neopagan Germanic traditions surrounding Spring Solstice —eggs, rabbits, and other spring fertility symbols— have all swirled together into a strange, modern springtime festival of rebirth and renewal. That last bit, and the return of light, in particular, is what I most relate to as a painter.

Before joining my family for Ostermonat festivities, I went for an early morning walk. Have you noticed how the blue skies of April are nearly the same hue seen in October? Six months apart, these two spectacular months always seem intertwined in my thoughts. I’ve been rather mesmerized by the contrast between the ochre remnants of autumn (particularly wool grass in the wet meadow), and that crazy, cobalt blue, spring sky. Incidentally, Ēostre is an old Northumbrian word and Lache is the modern German word for a body of water (pool, pond or puddle).

Ä’ostre Lache. Springtime puddles. The earth’s sky.

 Ēostre Lache, in progress

 Ēostre Lache, in deference to my papa, who really, really loves Easter (the wonderful, electric-pink tulips were, of course, a gift chosen by him)

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