We often drive by the Gilbert Stuart birthplace museum on our way to walking dogs at King Preserve. The historic buildings and mill are beautifully maintained. I love that a famous American painter was born in our little state. The mill itself is beautiful and deserves it’s own painting. The museum was closed the day I went, so instead I parked a bit down the road and walked on a path along the stream until I came to this spot. I loved the snow covered banks bordering the stream and the juxtaposition of the historic man made buildings against nature.
I set up my easel in the snow and did my best to paint quickly before my hands became too cold.
Plein air painting... step by step
About painting in New England snowy weather
At this point my hands and feet were frozen. When the sun is shining, I can usually manage to stay out longer in the snow. On a cloudy, damp day like this, the cold gets to me quickly. I had hoped to get much farther than this but at least I was able to enjoy some time out in the fresh air. Just completing the block in imprinted the visual details of the scene in my mind to complete in the future. Ten months later, I pulled this painting out of the stack of ‘to be finished’ and had fun wrapping it up with very little need to look at the reference photo. That is the magic of plein air painting – just spending the time and energy to get the initial work done sets the image in your mind. And if it is meaningful to you, it is a joy to come back to and finish.
Ten months later in the studio...
‘Fresh Snow’ is complete – with a pop of yellow in the out building and evergreen trees laced with snow. The snow covered banks lead gracefully to the stream that once powered the mill.
