Imagine this - it is early morning and 5 below zero. You stumble down to the kitchen to make some coffee. While at the kitchen sink, you find that you are nose to nose with a snowshoe hare! I couldn't believe my good fortune.
I ran to my studio and grabbed the first piece of pastel paper I saw along with a stick of vine charcoal and headed back to the sink. I figured a quick gesture was all I would get... but maybe two drawings if I was lucky. As time passed, I realized that I was actually getting time to do a decent drawing and the hare was still there... get the pastels!!!!
I try to define what causes me to want to paint something prior to working. Of course, I was in a huge hurry, but it was so clear what was most intriguing to me. Both the hare and the snow were white, but one was a very cool white and the other very warm. It was an extreme contrast. Bingo! I was motivated even without some coffee!
Morning Visitor Pastel 8x9
I think that due to the cold temperature and air movement, my little visitor decided that seeing movement through the window was a lesser evil than moving away from the building. He did keep a close eye on me though, which I tried to get into the painting.
To add icing to the cake, Bob Bahr, previously editor with the Outdoor Painter Online Magazine picked up the image on social media and did a little blurp on my morning visitor in the January 16, 2017 issue! http://www.outdoorpainter.com/parting-shot-rare-hare-sighting/
It was my lucky day!