Untamed Land

Untamed Land
Untamed Land

Monday, January 16, 2012

Cabin Fever

Is this a Wolf? It was in the field next door.
Last week, Alaska experienced heavy snowfalls. The town of Cordova got 18ft of snow in one week. Anchorage got about 6ft during the same time period. Then came the cold temperatures. We have been south of zero for a long time. The overnight lows on the east side of town where I live, have been running about -25f, that's about -33c. The days high is only a few degrees warmer.
No, it was not a wolf. Just a husky enjoying the deep snow.
During weather like this, I spend a lot more time indoors. This morning I had to get out. The thermometer said it was -21f. Seriously cold. I knew that it was going to be a short walk.
The late sunrise of mid-winter, at about 11:00am.
I intended to photograph the Russian Orthdox church across the field but it was obscured by ice fog.

It was hard work trudging through the snow. My feet went numb in a short time. I was wearing sneakers with only one pair of socks.
Nobody has been driving these cars in awhile.
Somebody who really likes watching tv lives in this funky motorhome. Either that, or this  is a hidden CIA surveillance station. I don't know how they manage to stay warm enough.

Several months ago I sent this painting in to the the annual Artists for Conservation Show at Grouse Mountain Resort near Vancouver B.C. It was a pleasant surprize for me when I got this calendar in the mail. I had no idea that my painting was chosen for the calendar. It's in their excellent book as well. Right now, I think the original painting is on display in the wonderful, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson. It will be part of the travelling art show for most of this year.

3 comments:

Colette Theriault said...

Congratulations John. I'm not surprised they picked your painting! Very lovely compostion and choice of subject matter. The little white flowers balance the elements and bring a delicate touch of elegance which pairs well with the soft and cute bunny. Beautiful soft lighting too! Bravo!

john said...

Thank you for your kind comment Colette. I forgot to mention in the post that the setting for this painting is the same field where I photographed the husky.

Eugenia Wadsworth Martin said...

Just came across your blog and must say I have never seen so much snow! Been watching on TV how much Alaska has been in the deep freeze this winter but your pictures make me shiver. I will make sure to look at your pictures this summer when I need something to cool me down. We are having an unusually warm winter. Temp is in 74 and breezy today.
Love your bird photographs and the painting of the Grebe’s water is just beautiful. I also like painting birds.
Eugenia