Recently, while in the mountains, we had a late spring wet snow where it clung to everything. It created a magical look as snow garlands seemed to be hung on the trees and a blanket of snow covered the newly sprouting grasses. It was exciting for me to tromp around in with only 6” – usually it is feet of snow in Colorado which makes going out to photograph a real challenge. The conditions were exciting because around every bend and over the next ridge was another setting for some new painting idea. My inspiration went wild. “I’ll put a fox in there. Oh, and maybe an Elk coming out of that thicket. I can see some Indians riding through right here.” I took 500 photos in a couple of hours before it all melted. It was fantastic! Walking home down the road after a few hours tromping in my snow boots, I happened on this nice bend in the road with a split rail fence. A barn magically appeared, a rabbit jumped across the road, and a horse raised it’s head when it picked up the sound. Yes, it was “Winter Magic” in the artist’s mind.
-Mark Keathley