life

Winter Wrapped Trees

| drawandshoot


For some reason, this image just breaks my heart. The harshness of Winter.

I have been here in the past. It was before the snow fell, before the cold really settled in. If you missed the first visit you can find it here. I’m fascinated by the figurative nature of these wrapped trees and how they can be interpreted in different ways. The way they relate to each other. The changes taking place through the seasons. The conversations.










All images © Karen McRae

Frozen Regrets

| drawandshoot

This morning was very cold. The last few days have been in fact and yesterday when we went for a long ski it was so chilly (-15° c)  I didn’t bother taking my camera. But I completely regretted it because the Escarpment was a wonderland like never before. The higher part of the park was completely frosted. There were places where every branch of every tree was sparkling with ice and snow. And the sun was shining. Breathtaking.

Something like these frosted branches below which I took pictures of this morning. Complete cheater pictures. There is only one small tree in my yard that looks like this and it’s frosted because the furnace is pumping out toxic steam onto it. Sorry. It was still kind of pretty in the morning light. Lesson learned…

Ice With Teeth

All images © Karen McRae

Inside-Out Pyjamas and a Spoon Under Your Pillow

| drawandshoot

It is a well-known fact(?) that if you put your pyjamas on inside out and place a spoon under your pillow upon going to bed, you will wake up to a “snow day”. School buses won’t be running and you will get to wear your inside-out pyjamas for the entire day should you choose to. Somebody has indulged…
It’s more like a freezing rain day though. I’d prefer the snow.
All images © Karen McRae

Stick Season

| drawandshoot

I have heard the Canadian winter referred to as stick season. I like that. The outside world becoming minimal in many ways. Reduced to sticks and twigs, spareness of colour and natural design. As the snow gets thicker and deeper so does the spareness. Sometimes it’s a slow build.
All images © Karen McRae

The Colour of Ice

| drawandshoot

We have been blanketed in arctic air for the last couple of days so I’m posting these icy cold pictures to give you an idea of what it feels like.  I love the subtle blues and yellows trapped in the ice. Currently I am busy turning up the heat, drinking hot tea and eating cheesecake. (Could someone please come over and finish the rest of the sweets in my house?!,  it would have to be soon though…)
Stay warm!
Taken in Almonte, Ontario 2010
All images © Karen McRae

A String Around My Finger

| drawandshoot

I couldn’t let the first day of the year pass without marking it with a few thoughts and images. I am so grateful for the support of the amazing people who are in my life and excited for what the new year will bring. This is kind of like a little reminder to myself to be strong, to stay on the creative path I have chosen and to always be thankful for what I have. It’s like a string around my finger.

Strength, for whatever lies ahead

Reach, for your wildest dreams
 Reflect, on what you have and what you have learned
An adventure lies ahead. Thanks for joining me!

All images © Karen McRae