Apple Orchard in Winter

I’d been looking at some of the plein air landscapes I’d done out in my orchard last winter and thought of “doing something” with them. We hadn’t had much snow last winter and I’d set my easel up in the apple orchard to paint the bare trees. I thought maybe it’d be interesting to paint another version of this one, only a bit larger and with some deer.

Here’s my setup this week:

I had to scour the Internet for some deer images this morning. It was hard to find photos of deer without giant racks. And they all seemed to be facing the same direction, so I had to improvise a little. This winter is different — lots more snow! Picasso and Mr. Wonderful (my cats) spend their days lounging in comfy,warm baskets, listening to classical music and occasionally begging Momcat for treats. Whatta life!