Winter ...The First Day
Winter is part of the Winter Series...I first did this painting, when I was practicing painting in watercolour many years ago ( I can’t remember the origins of the image)....recently I found the original sketch and decided to do a new painting…this is the result.
Watercolour on Arches Paper…
“On the first day of winter,
the earth awakens to the cold touch of itself.
Snow knows no other recourse except
this falling, this sudden letting go
over the small gnomed bushes, all the emptying trees.
Snow puts beauty back into the withered and malnourished,
into the death-wish of nature and the deliberate way
winter insists on nothing less than deference.
waiting all its life, snow says, “Let me cover you.”..Laura Lush
Winter ...The First Day belongs to the following groups:
All Around the Styles, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, AW Welcome Center, Decorative and Traditional Art, Everyday Life, Landscape Painting, Light In The Darkness, Live, Love, Dream, Prize Challenges!!, Safe Haven, Snow! Glorious Snow!! 2 a day, The Patchwork and The true beauty Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Janis Zroback
On the first day of winter,
the earth awakens to the cold touch of itself.
mingtees
jusr wonderful. Love the snow treatment. Have you got a winter calendar of this series?
Janis Zroback replied
I will do one as soon as I have 12…I have to check and see..I may already have enough…
BTW…the Tshirt is lovely…perfect….
AndyReeve
‘ere wot’s that white stuff?
Beaut painting by the way. Love the colours; so clever.
Janis Zroback replied
I live in Canada…we’re made of it…glad you like it Andy..nice to see you…
Diane Rodriguez
Vibrant, simple and just plain beautiful! Nice work Janis.
I received my cards and I love them! Thank YOU
Janis Zroback replied
Thanks so much….
I’m really happy you like the cards…thanks again for buying them Diane…
kjgordon
your winter series gives me the chills…...but in a good way…..........
wonderful colors of white…..........hmmmmmmmmmm
Janis Zroback replied
Thank so much KJ…we’re getting the first 6 inches downtown where I am tonight…we are always the last, as the tall buildings keep the warmth in….the suburbs got about 20 inches over the weekend…but once we get it, we’re in it for the next four months…I just got the shovels etc. out and the snowblower is all set to go…let it snow…
kjgordon
good you like the snow…......kinda strange that an Island gurl enjoyz the winters that you get…..
kjgordon
Oh I forgot to mention theisi the chart for your Islands….........
Janis Zroback replied
I don’t particularly enjoy the cold…I just accept the things I can’t change, and make the best of it…that sounds smug, but it really isn’t…I live by “don’t sweat the small stuff”...not that 6 ft of snow is small stuff…but I have a lot bigger and more serious things in life to face each day…snowfall is a cakewalk by comparison….I do like painting it though…when it’s fresh and clean and silent, it is glorious to look at, provided you’re wearing the right clothes…
Janis Zroback replied
Could not reply to your charts directly…
kjgordon
I bet it is …......stay warm wahini…..........
Janis Zroback replied
I plan to…living in this climate for so long has taught me how to do it best…
Seosamh
Gosh, what a lovely shot !
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you….it’s a watercolour painting…I’m glad you like it and welcome to my pages…
kjgordon
The chart was a temp chart for your native islands…......
Janis Zroback replied
I know, but I could not reply in the text box right below it…..the reply button would not work…
Linda Callaghan
beautiful painting Janis really like the way you get your crisp sharp lines and the soft edges – ( I do remember those cold snowy days in Wales when growing up..loved playing in the fresh snow but hated the slush and cold…keep warm )
Janis Zroback replied
Thanks so much Linda…the fresh snow is great, but after that, it’s a mess…
Antanas
Beautiful work
Janis Zroback replied
Thanks so much Antanas…welcome back…nice to see you.
Janis Zroback
Karin Taylor
beautiful, fresh pure
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Karin…the first snows are like that…
blondiegirl
Lovely image, beautiful with the splash of colour!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Selina…I’m really happy you like it.
Helen Chierego
...so crisp and clean. Love the intense blues and touch of red. I imagine my feet sinking into it if I tried to walk over the surface of snow.
Janis Zroback replied
Yes you would sink up to your knees…glad you like it…thanks so much.
betha
Excellent work love the colour contrast of the main remaining grassy plant.
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Betha…snow never seems to be able to cover grasses completely…a reminder that there’s still life underneath…
GloriaDK
Wow I remember the deep snow in Spain while living there and the slush we had in Madrid at times. This looks so crisp and deep Janis. Don’t get frostbite.
Janis Zroback replied
I try not to stay out in it very long…thanks Gloria…
Alison Pearce
Beautiful, soft work!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Alison…
TomBaumker
I love them all as usual ! I would love the snow for a few weeks and then I would boogie back to Fla where i can go any where I please at any time in my short ha!. Shoot wildlife every day & fish. its a hard life but some one has to do it. Hugs Tom
Janis Zroback replied
That sounds good Tom…winter has its advantages…log fires and hot chocolate for one thing…thanks so much..
Neophytos
Crispy ! Fresh and white as snow ..I love it !!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Neophytos…I’m so glad you like it.
Jim Phillips
Saw the first of this years snow flakes yesterday. Really strange for us to see any snow this early in the year. It’s usually January or more likely February before we see that 2 to 3 inches of snow. Yesterday’s snow didn’t even dust the ground. Beautiful work as always Janis.
Janis Zroback replied
We had to get out the snow blower this morning…. it’s early here too…we had not even been able to get the eaves done before it fell…glad you like tthe painting Jim…I love to paint winter, so there’ll be lots more…
David Roman
you got it!!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much David..
Joanne Bradley
Love the layers in this painting Janis, and I mean horizontally with the blue sky above, the top of the snowbank with that grouping of reeds protruding and then that tinier piercing with the smaller grasses poking through. Great use of color and composition! Yes, a winter calendar would be a great addition to your portfolio! I have changed my attitude in regards to winter, over the last couple of years from somone that despised winter to someone who recognizes all the positives today, from cosy fireside readings, to brisk winter walks, and too lovely outside winter scenery! :-)
Janis Zroback replied
Actually we have no choice but too accept it, unless we go away for the entire thing…since it when I paint the most, I’m glad of it…no garden or outside work, and I wear very warm things when I go out…now that we have the snowblower, the snow is manegeable too…
I have done the calendar, but I want to wait till I’ve posted more paintings…thanks so much Joanne…glad you like the painting.