#2 - Winterreise January - February 2015 Acrylic on canvas (1m x 1m)

#2 – Winterreise
January – February 2015
Acrylic on canvas (1m x 1m)

« Winterreise » or winter travel is a dreamy picture whose title is inspired by the music cycle of Schubert which was often running in the background when I painted it. The goddess-like figure with dark curls is gently blowing snow and frost onto tree tops, giving its surroundings a glistening golden and white texture, and freezing the river below in its flow. The deep blue tones of the river reminds me of the color of the deep layers of ice found in the glaciers of Patagonia which I loved to observe when I visited Argentina 10 years ago. So much frozen life and energy underneath the still surface, like a colorful inner world patiently waiting to bloom to life with the return of spring.

This has been my favourite painting for a long time. Like a dream, the face of this mysterious winter woman emerged strikingly after a few layers of chaotic colour.

click to enlarge

The dream-like lady of winter gently blowing snow onto the underlying colours

The golden tree on the right was the first clear shape that I worked on, surrounded by the white of the snow which seems to pour out of her mouth.

The river started to flow next and the finishing touches were the black and golden locks and the contrasting dark red leaves on the river.

The title stems from Franz Schubert’s song cycle for voice and piano Winterreise (Winter Journey)