Winter time paintings

For me winter starts with the days getting shorter and the weather is unpredictable. However the start of winter also has Christmas which is fun, full of lights and family and friends. For artists this is when they are most likely to sell their paintings. For a couple of years I did local artisan markets in December, there is a cost involved but it is a way to get yourself noticed and people are more likely to impulse buy. I find animals are more noticeable in winter and quickly sold the below painting of a grey squirrel in snow.

With the Artisan Markets in mind I created a series of fun and colourful small paintings. You can see some examples in the image below. I discovered that these paintings look good on products.

I also created a series of cards for the markets, people cannot always afford a painting but if they like your artwork they will buy cards.

Not much grows or flowers in our winter time, there are plants like poinsettias that are linked to winter and Christmas. The below painting I feel looks like wrapping paper, although that was not my intention when I painted it.

Another plant that is synonymous with winter is holly and if you marry it with a robin you have the perfect Christmas combination.

After Christmas comes more cold and often more snow. Out of this is a plucky flower, the snowdrop. I am always pleased to see the snowdrops as you know winter time is almost over. I am not sure why I used pink in this painting but I think it really works.

Winter time has a beauty of its own, some of the bluest skys are around this time of year against the white snow. Always a challenge to create, so for me it is more a time to try and engage people with my artwork.

Ruth Breen