Monday, January 21, 2008

Snow at Daybreak


Snow at Daybreak
Originally uploaded by linfrye
I awoke yesterday morning to find that the snow had turned to ice and coated every tree branch, shrub and step. As the sun made its way thru and over the woodlands, the scene was mesmerizing! Crystaline glass sparkled EVERYWHERE! I grabbed my camera, and since temperatures were in the teens, I snapped photo after photo thru the windows! LOL

I tried my my best to even BEGIN to capture what what was before me -- and yet keep my work spontaneous and loose. HA! Painting after painting failed --- and soooo I had to accept that 'loose and spontaneous' is going to be something to aim for and not expect to achhieve each and every time -- SIGH. I truly hope that over time and with continued practice the frequency of 'reaching THAT goal' will incease!

So here's daybreak through the window of my office -- the sun shining through the woods creating this golden path that lit the trees and the tall wax myrtle (that looks like a shrub from my window) ... setting everything aglow. Snow was still around and so I flicked white India ink on the painting to represent the flecks of snow. I simplified and elminated so many of the bare trees that seemed to be a bit overwhelming for this simple scene ...

This morning, there are patches of ice here and there, temperatures are in the the teens, and for the most part, our bit of white 'dusting' is gone. I'm grateful to have been home and warm during this rare event! Still, I'll keep painting snow for a while, hoping for just one or two more coatings of the 'white' stuff... it sure makes the world around me even more beautiful!

14 comments:

Jenny said...

Wow! This may not be what you originally wanted, but it's beautiful anyway.

Teri said...

Oh Lin, it's beautiful!!! Love the sun coming up.

EdieB said...

This is my first comment. That is if I can get my cat off my keyboard. I'm retired and just starting back into art and I needed that reminder about practicing. I love your Blog and art and specially "Snow at Daybreak". you do beautiful art. Thank you

Lorraine said...

Incredible, outstanding, gorgeous - words fail me -- the glow, the snow, the trees, the composition. So happy for you that you had enough of the white stuff for art and happy for those of us who get to see it! I've never heard of white India Ink but it looks like a great "snow" medium.
Hugs,
Lorraine

Evidence of an Artistic Life said...

Lin-I think this is one of my all time favorites. It looks like Iowa!!!!!!!! LOL!!! Seriously-this is just fabulous! Great work!! I am so enjoying your blog and work!
hugs, chris

Anonymous said...

Lin, I think your work is already much more looser? than you think. And most importantly, this is you, this is how you interpret what you see and really, it couldn't be more beautiful. On the bigger pic at flickroom I saw the snow falling and the colours coming through the trees... and it is just such nice rendering...I love your work.
Ronell

Tami said...

Wow! This is a framer! I LOVE the sunlite path. BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, AND AGAIN, BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is just gorgeous and makes me recall the snow from New England that I grew up with.
I love how you put the white for the flecks. Makes it look very real. I'm almost shivering. (smile)
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net

Linda said...

Lin, this is absolutely beautiful. Just perfect! You are loose where you should be loose here -- and tight where it should be -- and it still looks like yours. THAT'S good stuff!
:-) Way to go, Lin!

Anonymous said...

This is a brilliant painting! Just a beautiful composition with the glowing light - brava!

Carole said...

Lin, This perfectly captures that winter light you get at daybreak when it is snowy/icy. I love it! I like those white splatters - they really help the painting sparkle to suggest those ice crystals catching the light. Beautiful work!

Lindsay said...

Just lovely. The quiet energy and colors are rich.

Joan said...

I'm so glad you're getting to do some snow paintings! The colors in this are great and you included just enough trees and splattering to make it work. Nice!!

Anonymous said...

I must know how you did this, what your steps were. It's absolutely stunning and in my humble opinion, your best painting yet! What talent and skill you have!