A few days ago we spent some time after dinner looking at Andrew Wyeth’s winter paintings from Maine. Sadly, this wasn’t a museum visit or even a coffee table book; just a half hour online. I was struck by how he conveyed a feeling for winter color using much of the same antiqued palette that he’s known for. I also realized how well he conjured up the flavor of New England loneliness; quite different from that found in Edward Hopper’s work.

My picture was taken after a recent hike in the Roraback Wildlife Management Area. Despite cold fingers, I snapped a few pictures before starting up the car. This is not how Wyeth would’ve painted it, but I liked the lacey light of a winter sunset, and the inky lines of trees and the blue canoe. Harsh shadows would’ve turned this picture into something else. Thankfully, they were retired for the evening.

You can check out some of Wyeth’s work from Maine here. Happy holiday week, ya’ll.

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