Art In Winter

Herding Sheep in a Winter Landscape at Sunset
Joseph Farquharson
1846 ~ 1935
Born in Edinburgh Scotland  

 

When the West With Evening Glows 
1901
Joseph Farquharson

Farquaharson on Wikipedia

Images from Wikiart.org

I've posted landscapes of Farquaharson's in the past.

His realism paintings capture winter's warmth beautifully.

Winter Chat

Tree, Leaves & Snow 2024

At the moment here in western Vermont at just after 7 PM EDT, it is snowing at a good clip. The ground has about two inches of snow cover. Earlier, it felt like rain that changed to snow. The weather forecast is rain after 10 PM EDT. A warm font is moving in to wash winter away.

In the morning, with a 40ºF temperature forecast, road conditions might not be all that good as there may be spots where it is colder and icy. 

Please Drive Safely

The winter landscapes today were beautiful. Tomorow I expect things will resemble early spring. Winter being winter. 

This morning my tea got cold too fast after I took a too early sip, and burned part of my lower lip. I tend to try tea faster than I do a hot cup of coffee. I don't know why that is. It was so freezing cold this morning, I think it settled in my mind to warm up.

The Arches watercolor paper order from Dick Blick.com arrived today. It awaits measuring and cutting. I buy full 22 inch by 30 inch sheets because I can cut them to the sizes I want. 

That all means the puttering pace will rev up tomorrow for the painting area to be organized. Right now there are clothes sorted and piled around. 

I am anxious to paint watercolors most of this winter to ease out cabin fever. In years past I've created projects specfically for the purpose of not falling too far into a winter depression. Projects work only when I put effort into them. 

How is your winter going?

 

Arranging Furniture Fun

Abstract Untitled

    The change of seasons means moving furniture to the winter arrangement.  Table space is premium for craft, sewing and art projects. This year there will be more surface area to use after I finish making a larger craft table.

The wood card table will be used for puzzles, and odd projects like a place to allow things to dry. 

During the furniture moving, there's also clearing out stuff. The tall trash can where I stored rolled up drawings, wallpaper and such is now a clothes hamper. A file cabinet is in the corner instead. More has moved here and there to organize, tidy up, declutter. I've also found small projects to add to the cold weather indoors project basket. 

The abstract is one such discovery rolled in a tube with other stuff. I recall it as being on gesso primed paper. To my surprise, it is on primed canvas without a stretcher.

Who know moving furniture could be so much fun.

I found a 1982 duck applique and stuffed decoy book with the pattern; a cross stitch door pull kit; wood  pieces for projects; tons of buttons; a knitting project; drawing paper; and more. 

So that's where that was!...ruled.

Folklore & Forecasts

 

Wooly Bear Caterpillar 2014

According to folklore, the longer the brown band on the Wooly Bear caterpillar, the milder the winter. In 2014, the band was long, visible as he scurried stretched out across the driveway. 

North American Winter 2014~2015

Maybe the Wooly Bear isn't such a good weather predicter.

Old Farmer's Almanac

The Old Farmer's Almanac and the National Weather Service,  have better weather forecasts.

National Weather Service, Winter Outlook 2023 ~ 2024

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

This fall consider being on the look out for signs of what the 2023 ~ 2024 winter will be here in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, fluff up those sweaters and dust out those boots.

Autumn is only  9 days away.

Out my window here in Vermont today, it looks like summer with rain from a dull overcast sky. Out and about, I will wear shoes and a rain jacket instead of sandals and a sweater. Thankfully, today is a very light on errands.

There are some days, like last Saturday, when I was out all day hunting down things. Overall, doing errands can be very tedious when there are many stops or long distances between them.

In winter, that changes. I bundle up both clothing and errands wise to reduce my time out in the cold. I have begun stocking up on just in case food, planning meals for leftovers and freezing, flashlight batteries, reading list, and projects. A positive about winter is that being outdoors can't be ruined by too much snow like summer is ruined with too much rain. 

Earth needs the snow, not to excess, but enough to replenish water supplies, and give plants that need a cold spell for growth, like apples do.

Instead of being grumpy about cold and snow, enjoy watching Nature on the go this winter.

🌟

Today, I got Wordle in 2!

😂😁💖

 I do feel humble and sparkly.

Winter Is Back

The lines in the dusting of snow from last night are created, I believe, by a wing trailing an unbroken line in the snow when a bird lands or flies away.

Imagine what a fun floor it would be painted, stenciled or stamped with bird tracks. 

A home with imagination a person doesn't need explained is human nature indoors. Dream of the room first or create it from something you discover shares your aesthetic wave length, both methods breath from our nesting instincts.

 

The Cold

Winter 2023

 -3°F (-19.44°C), 3 February 2023

Along Route 7, Addison County Vermont, that was the ambient temperature on my vehicle's thermometer. 

The wind chill I'm guessing

 was around -20°F.

Serious freezing cold!

Please, be careful outdoors.

 Bundle up!

Scarf. Thick Gloves. Hat.

sweater. Thermal underwear.

Thick Winter Coat and Boots.

Also note,

metal freezes fast,

as in piercings might need

extra protection.

A quick walk back and forth

maybe a hundred yard total,

one of my hands was bare,

one had on a thick fleece glove.

The inch plus top of my fingers,

including thumb were freezing!

Tingling discomfort cold.

My thumb ached as it 

took the longest to warm up.

In that short time,

for that short distance,

I believe frost nip,

the before frost bite stage,

was beinning in my fingers.

I was told the elderly

feel the cold faster.

I say, real faster!

I have been out in serious cold before.

Yesterday was the coldest.

Today, the wind chill is even worse.

Please Protect yourself & pets!

Reflection Monday September 2014

Thinking of summer is easy when the New England weather forecasts a temperature of 85º Fahrenheit (29.4º Celsius). Letting go of shorts, sandals, picnics, and summer toys is the challenge. Minds have things to feel about that are apt for the weather. 

   

Spring mode is to plan for summer. In days gone by garden success meant surviving winter. On the see saw of seasonal mind sets, the autumn harvest days brings to this mind, preparation to survive winter's blues.

Winter List 12 Things to Do:

• Hot toddies...beverages with or without alcohol for cold winter evenings
• Recipes...that speak summer salad language
• Learn to knit mittens...wear them to make a snowman
• Sew a T tunic...fleece and one piece pattern 
• Teach yourself to read music
• Learn a new language
• Chocolate Cake Day 27 January 2015...Bake!
• Umbrella Day, 10 February 2015 plan a theme party outdoors!
• List all the exercises you hate and do them after a good warm up
• Spend time at your local library exploring
• Plan a garden
• Learn Yoga