Winter 2017

This has been an unusual winter weather wise, 

but that is what we are told to expect 

with the effects of global warming.

So rain, sleet, snow and fog are the norm, 

often within a 24 hour period. 

Here, a pastel of Lemoine Point in Kingston 

on a foggy morning.

Snow and ice coat the ground 

while the air is warm and moisture laden.

A great day for an artist!

Lemoine Point 2017 Leslie Snider

And sometimes a photo says it all!

Two from the same location.

Lemoine Point 2016 Leslie Snider

Lemoine Point 2017 Leslie Snider

 

Sky Variations

This time of year

I have my morning coffee 

while watching the sun rise 

over the woods behind my house.

It's surprising the tremendous 

variety of colour in the dawn sky.

But you must be quick,

the colour dissipates

in a flash!

This first, was an unpromising,

 cool, gray morning 

until the sun began to rise 

over the tree line.

Dawn 2017-03 Leslie Snider

This second example

is based on photos 

taken of Lake Ontario.

In my part of the world

 the only place 

one gets an unobstructed

 view of the sky.

Overnight a storm 

had passed over the lake 

and the dawn light 

had an eerie quality.

Morning after the Storm 2017 Leslie Snider

Cloud Variations

Last summer

 I posted this example of 

summer clouds bustling 

across a summer sky.

I was interested in the patterns, 

sizes, sense of distance 

and the effect of sky on water. 

Clouds 2016 - Leslie Snider

I've revisited the subject 

but this time 

I'm thinking more about atmosphere 

and the nuances of  colour.

After the Storm 2017- Leslie Snider

As a summer storm was breaking up 

the threatening sky

was giving way to a sun as yet unseen.

The rays of light, still holding moisture

refract the light

and struggle to peek through.

Dawn Variations

Bonnechere 2016 Leslie Snider

This example was inspired 

by a very quiet and calm early morning 

while camping at Bonnechere Provincial park.

The rising sun is not seen 

but is warming the air 

and creating a slight mist 

on the glassy water surface.

Dawn  2017 Leslie Snider

Another early morning

( Presquile Provincial Park)

 The illusive sun is warming 

the deep shadows of trees and water.

Finally a sunrise over  a 

favourite marsh.

Marsh Dawn  2017 Leslie Snider

Here the warmth of the marsh grasses 

adds colour variations to the cool reds and blues.

In daylight the effect is entirely different.

Across the Marsh Leslie Snider

First Dawn 2017

One of the benefits of January in Ontario 

(along with some unpleasant weather)

are the short days, 

bringing early dawns and sunsets.

For the artist this is great..

no excuses about sleeping in 

and missing the magic hour! 

Along with my four legged companions

 we're often out on an early walk

 as the sun rises.

Snow coating the ground has a cold blue cast 

and slowly alters from deep cobalt blues 

to warmer turquoise blues.

Here the sun is just peaking above the horizon

warming the air.

The light from houses in the distance 

contrasts with the remnants of night.

Dawn -  2017 - Leslie Snider