This painting is a detail from a painting inspired by a winter count by Baptiste Good.  This winter count records the Sioux history as passed forward through narrative drawings painted on an animal hide.   This record was passed down from generation to generation, along with the story that each symbol represented.  The count recorded from winter to winter.

As this year’s South Dakota winter drags on, it is clear to me why time passage would be counted by winters… survival of another winter is an accomplishment, even in today’s world of comfort.