During my years in Chicago, February was the abyss from which spring emerged. The darkest and most bitterly cold days seemed most abundant during this month. This year, with strange weather anomalies like the polar vortex, reeking havoc in places that have never experienced such a winter, it seems as though Spring is still so out of reach. So, this month I am embracing the austere quality of the final weeks of this season. I look for inspiration in the contrast of soft, white snow on concrete and stone, and the harsh beauty of thick ice accumulating on splintered trees. And despite the oppressive grey of overcast days in the cityscape, I've included some gold tones to remember the sun. With this mood board, I surrender to the severity of winter as it, ever so slowly, slips away.