Winter Farm

Although winters can be very snowy here in Alaska, when the reference photo for this painting was taken a few years ago by my wife, it had just been cold for a long time. Long periods of no fresh snow tend to create frost buildup on exposed grass, bushes and trees, which creates a very unique and appealing look.

This painting features a local farm in the midst of winter, against a backdrop of the setting sun and the Chugach Mountains. The sun is barely rising above the mountains this time of year, often leaving this part of Palmer in the shadows during the morning and afternoon hours.

Yet, despite the harsh conditions this time of year, there is beauty in the stillness, in the pale sun attempting to warm up the ground that’s draped with layers and layers of frost. This painting tries to capture this sensation.