Well, another Illustration Friday theme is upon us - this week it's "Cold". I had to think about this one for a while, and I decided I really wanted to find a "cold" quote to help me out. So I turned to ThinkExist, my trusty quote-finder. I immediately loved this anonymous quote for its simplicity and its truth. "To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold." (click the image to see a larger version) I can really relate to this quote, because I am an ardent snowflake fan. Having grown up in Texas, my exposure to snowflakes was limited to picture books and the very rare once-every-20-year dusting that we would get. I also saw snow here and there on vacation , but not very often. So, when we moved to Colorado almost 8 years ago, I quickly made up for a lot of lost snow days. It snowed a foot on March 18, 1998, the day after we arrived. Our sweet neighbors (also Texas transplants) introduced us to the snow shovel, which of course we had never seen. Despite the jolting effect of that much snow at one time, in March no less, I was instantly hooked. I loved to watch it snow - and it still thrills me to this day.As I went through several seasons here, I began to learn about types of snow. The snow that fell in the mid-winter season (December - February) was typically a dry, fluffy snow (not particularly good for making snowmen), and the spring snow season (March - May) brought the heavy, wet snow. It is the dry snow that is now my favorite because quite often you can see individual snowflakes falling, verses clumps of snowflakes. During such a snowfall, I will stand out on my back porch wearing a long-sleeved dark shirt and watch, for as long as I can stand the cold, the magnificent little works of art land softly on my sleeve. They are so incredibly delicate, etched with such detail and perfection. They last just long enough for me to delight at their artistry, then my body temperature gets the best of them and they're gone. This snowflake-watching ritual turns me into a giddy kid every time!
I love snow, and I love snowflakes. Nice illustration and interesting quote.
ReplyDeleteMy three-year-old LOVES it. He came from across the room, "Look, mama, I like that snow."
ReplyDeleteWhite lines and shadows around draw look like stickers. Nice illo !
ReplyDeleteThis illo and quote just work so nicely together. Great expression on her little face, the illo has a real since of JOY to it, just like new snow. This is just super.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet illo! I love the style. And I really like the "cut out" look to it.
ReplyDeleteNice!
a wonderful illustration with a perfect quote.
ReplyDeletewinter is my favorite time of year, i think. i've always loved the snow...and especially when the clouds are so low you can't tell were the cloud ends and the snow begins. So many shades of blue, silver an grey.
I think it's all very magical. And your illustration clarifies that.
Lovely illo-and the quote is so true. Well done.
ReplyDeletewow...super color and very cute.
ReplyDeleteLovely picture and beautiful snowflakes ... Living in the tropics, I'm real envious of your fun snowy days.
ReplyDeleteLOvely and sweet, great illo
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't like the snow we got up here. Meh. Mebbe a little bit.
ReplyDeleteSweet, Becky. That's cardworthy.
Adorable! I love the three dimensional shadow effect. I love snow too and hope we get a lot this winter.
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty, Becky! I love her outstretched arms and the pretty cool colors you used here. The quote is also wonderful. I can imagine how exciting snow must be if you haven't really seen it, but I have to say...I'm pretty tired of it having lived most of my life in the northeast. I did live in the US Virgin Islands for a few years...and didn't miss the snow at all:> Anyway, it's wonderful that it brings you so much pleasure, and wonderful too that you can bring us pleasure with your darling, happy illsutration!
ReplyDeleteBecky
ReplyDeleteI grew up and still live by Lake Erie where we are know for our lake effect snow. When the season starts I just love it but by March I had enough.
so glad you get to enjoy the snow and your illo is just beautiful. I always love your litle charachters.
Great illo, Becky! I can appreciate your backstory, too. I can't say I'm overjoyed about snow, though. I really thought I'd like winter (not having grown up with it!). Perhaps it's that Montreal's winters are looong and harsh. Pretty extreme for a beginner. : )
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for sharing about your day off in your previous posting. LOVELY pictures of the beauty of your area. Oh, and like you, I'm also a sucker for a cute stuffed animal!
Cool illustration!! Really nice cut out style.
ReplyDeleteNice illustration. I agree, snowflakes are so beautiful.
ReplyDeletewynlen
Great job with the quote and illustration. I love it.
ReplyDeletelove
This would make a perfect holiday greeting card! I love the cut-out effect too. It's a really distinctive look. :) Oh, and if you don't mind... TAG! You must list 20 random things about yourself. hehe
ReplyDeletesweet illo ;)
ReplyDeletethanks for your lovely comments.
Wow, I really like your work. Very nice stuff! I'll be back!
ReplyDeleteWow! - thanks everyone for your comments! I'm having such a blast sharing art and commentary back and forth with all of you. What a wonderful bunch of folks! Thanks all!
ReplyDeleteWow your illo is a lot better than mine. I only finished a few seconds before they switched to today's theme so I'm surprised you saw it. Thanks for your comments1
ReplyDeleteI LOVE YOUR STYLE!
ReplyDeleteYour work is beautiful...I will come back and explore throughout your blog. Nice messages also!
This is a lovely illo! How true that one has to stand out in the cold to appreciate the beauty of snow. I'm still trying to get used to living in snowy condition.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've tagged you to do the 20 random facts about yourself. In turn, you will tag as many people as you take to write out the list.
I'm only just catching up, but had to skip "Cold." Your pic is close in spirit to what I envisaged (except I was going to have a polar bear on a purple background instead :)). It captures the joy of appreciation for the cold and has a nice Buddhist awareness vibe to the message.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the swirls on the snowflakes, the colour scheme, the sky, and that the rabbit has a (much needed) scarf :).
Great illo, love the bunny. :) I am a texas transplant to the east coast and last year I had my first snow. I, too, am totally in love. the only thing I don't like is driving in the slippery stuff. ;)
ReplyDelete