If you live in the Midwest as I do, January is generally a dull time of year. The gloomy weather has us counting the days until the relief of spring. Still, it is possible to find reasons for optimism amid the darkness. For one thing, the days are finally getting longer. On sunny days, one can drink in the Sun's energy as it prevails in the battle against the long nights.

On a winter day, the joyful rays of the sun bouncing around the house from one object to another were music to my ears. I found a pair of mandarin "Cuties" in my kitchen, ideal characters to star in this January painting. The long shadows cast this time of year added drama to the show. In the coming months, the angle of the rays would be higher, and the effect of the shadows softer. I needed to capture THIS moment before it passed. 

The “Cuties” were perfect: full of vitality, juice, and vitamin C. Once the show was over, they served another joyous purpose!