Herefords in the Snow

 

I love when these guys come model for me - even when they don't stick around!  Their warm hues are accentuated by those cool blues in the snow. The sky was just beginning to warm up - so I pushed that warmth to further set off the snow. It was warmer today than it has been for days - and with the hedgerow windbreak, I was toasty. Another Arctic blast comes tonight with a little more snow.  I hope to get a few more snow paintings finished before the rain comes next week!  Painting number 4026 in 4026 days.  

Snowbank Creek

We are so fortunate to have a gorgeous snow that is lasting for days!  This rarely happens in Missouri, the sun comes out and melts the beauty away before I can paint it more than a couple times. So, I am getting out there as much as possible, savoring each gorgeous snow scene I find!  We still have a couple of cold days ahead - so hopefully I'll get a few more done before I'm faced with the browns of winter once more! Painting number 4024 in 4024 days. 

Snow at the Milk Barn

Oh how I wish this lovely snow would last!  With so little snowfall, I must paint it while I can, so I'm outside making the most of my painting time!  I love this moody sky, the colors saturate so well in this atmosphere.  The red has faded from those old walls, but I am pushing them, increasing the chroma and value.  I love the quiet of painting on such a day, there are only a few birds chirping as I work.  Love this painting day.  Painting number 3340 in 3340 days. 

Snow Path

It was so nice to see the sun out bright today - but oh that snow is melting!  Today, I painted to the sound of, "drip, drip, drip", and it made me paint faster!   It is a joy to paint on such a sunny day, even if it was still a bit cold in the wind.  I've used my oils today, so perfect they are to add texture to the painting.  I think I always choose oils when painting in the snow.  I wonder what would happen if I tried it in watercolor?  I should do that before all the snow melts!  Painting number 3335 in 3335 days. 

Snow at East Creek

I love the twists and turns of East Creek, blanketed with yesterday's heavy snow.  Often the surface of the water freezes over, and the movement below will start melting tiny rivulets in dark shades.  It can be a challenge to capture all the moods of this frozen water, from shiny to opaque, dark to reflecting, and it often changes as I paint!  So, I lay in those darkest masses first, then the lightest, and proceed to the midtones from there.  Long ago, I would sketch each one in ink before starting.  I've be at it so long now, I can arrive at the place and already know what I want to paint.  Love the winter beauty of this place.  Painting number 3334 in 3334 days. 

Blue Barn in the Snow

We had the most beautiful heavy snow this morning that lasted most of the day.  Large fluffy snowflakes blew in hard as I sat inside my warm, cozy home, watching the beauty from my windows.  The birds were crowding all the feeders and were so fun to watch!  The boys were working from home today so it really felt like a weekend day, and my classes were canceled at the gym.  Once the snow let up, I revisited an earlier painting to improve it in the same weather.  The light is better now, but I think I may adjust the snow lead in.  We mowed wider this year, and I think I'll revisit this again tomorrow.  Painting number 3333 in 3333 days. 

Shadows in the Snow

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In the middle of so many projects, I opened the door and stepped outside in my sock feet.  The bright sunlight was warm on my face and the landscape glistened before me.  How could I NOT paint this place?  Soaking up the sun as the snow melts around me, I paint to a symphony of drips from the eaves!  The snow will not last long on a gorgeous day like this!  So, I paint snow while I can, sipping hot black currant tea, and basking in the sun.  A sliver of heaven at a busy time.  Painting number 2550 in 2550 days.