Paul Ryan spent several months in Norway when he was awarded a grant from Stifelsen 3,14 (Foundation 3.14), a non profit art institution in Bergen, Norway.  This work is the third in Ryan's Hardanger/Modalen series.  A figure carrying a long spoon is something of a personal symbol for Ryan.  It means a 'helper' perhaps physical or spiritual.  In this case, a young woman helped Ryan through the snow on a cold icy day.  Ryan wanted to capture the confusion of sky, water and snow filled landscape being confusing to the eye.