TM9519 Notes from a Winter Trail – The Sun Came Out 36×42 oil on panel
This painting is all about joy when sunlight peaks through the last snow flakes. Or maybe it’s about the pleasure of hiking into the woods in February. Or both, and more. I just know painting impressions of winter is fun. Enjoy.
TM9518 Notes from a Winter Trail – The Clearing 36×42 oil on panel
It’s repetitious to keep saying snowfalls are magical, but there aren’t enough good synonyms. This past week I took a hike around Purgatory Chasm State Park along the Charley Loop. Snow was still clinging to the trees from a heavy snowfall, but now the sun was out and the sparkles of snow dust in the air were spectacular. Everything looked so clean and bright, I fairly danced my way into the woods (p.s. thank you to the person who compacted the snow trail!). I expect there will be more paintings from this hike, and another storm is on the way. It’s a good winter so far. Details below. Enjoy.
TM9518 Notes from a Winter Trail – The Clearing – detail from upper left and center
TM9518 Notes from a Winter Trail – The Clearing – detail from lower left
TM9518 Notes from a Winter Trail – The Clearing – detail from right of center
TM9517 January on the Ridgeline 36×44 oil on panel
I love driving Route 2 from Boston to Williamstown. Every direction has rolling hills that keep growing, until finally you are squirming your way through the mountains and following river gorges. The shadows are long in January, and there is time to savor the blues and violets of the season. Even the old fields feel sacred in this light. Details below. Enjoy.
TM9517 January on the Ridgeline – close-up from center right
TM9517 January on the Ridgeline – detail from shadows with snow-covered field edge
TM9516 North Woods Winter 36×48 oil on panel
With the right gear, nothing beats a winter day exploring the White Mountains in New Hampshire. This frozen creek, known locally as “the bowl” is just off interstate 93, and provides inspiration in any season (though I like winter). The drama of the off-kilter boulders and ice can be dangerous, but it offers a glimpse of the sublime, where intoxicating beauty and danger collide. It took many years of experience painting before I dared trying to paint the bowl, but now I want to go back and get more views. Details below. Enjoy.
TM9516 North Woods Creek – close-up showing rocky terrain
TM9516 North Woods Creek – detail from lower left with ice flow and boulders
TM9516 North Woods Creek – detail from upper center
TM9516 North Woods Creek – detail from left side
TM9515 Evening Reaches the Pond 36×48 oil on panel
The shadows are deepening, but there is still some light – enough to see the shimmering, overhanging boughs at the pond. It is quiet. My thoughts merge with the reflections before going indoors to start supper. Details below. Enjoy.
TM9515 Evening Reaches the Pond – detail from lower left
TM9515Evening Reaches the Pond – detail from central shadows
TM9515 Evening Reaches the Pond – detail from lower right
TM9515 Evening Reaches the Pond – detail from upper left with overhanging boughs
Technical painting notes: Much of this painting was developed using soft rubber rollers in assorted sizes, refined by brushwork and glazes. I find that the interactions of rolled strokes and hand brushed strokes provides variety and excitement, even though, in this case, the values are close. Arbitrary accidents frequently occur when rolling paint, and these too lend interest; nature is full of accidents.
TM9514 Setting Out 36×40 oil on panel
My favorite sort of January morning, great light and time enough to take a short hike before hitting the studio. Of course everything I see will find its way into the painting I’m working on, and I guess that’s how it should be. Details below. Enjoy.
TM9514 Setting Out – detail from top center
TM9514 Setting Out – detail from foreground
TM9514 Setting Out – detail from shadows
TM9513 Bright Morning 30×36 oil on panel
Bring the sunglasses! After a fresh snowfall, the sunlight on snow can be blindingly bright. This humble view from a roadside shows how even the simplest things gain some magic with snow. I love the varying color and ice patterns as streams and creeks freeze, and the dancing light snow blown across their surfaces. The jumble of growth along the edge of the woods, buried in snow, deserves another look. Maybe there’s a more abstract painting caught in that thicket? We’ll see. For now, details below. Enjoy.
TM9513 Bright Morning – detail showing frozen creek
TM9513 Bright Morning – detail from edge of woods
I’m pleased to announce that my new winter paintings will be featured at SoNo Fine Art gallery this month, located at 50 Water Street, South Norwalk, CT.
Link below:
Sono Fine Art Gallery at 50 Water Street, South Norwalk, CT.
Painting in window is October’s Snowfall, 36×40
TM9508 October’s Snowfall 36×40 oil on panel
