Synchronicity Studio

Landscape Paintings by Matthew J. Watson

Welcome

Through landscape, garden, and floral paintings, it is my goal to capture the synchronicity of each scene. (For more information, go to A Passion For Painting.)  I paint in oil, oil pastel, or watercolor in a style that ranges from representational to a touch of impressionism.  My Recent Works were inspired by New Mexico and Colorado scenes.  Enjoy, and visit Synchronicity Studio again soon!

               Winter 2012

On a recent thirteen degree morning, I looked out of my window in Santa Fe and was glad to see that the sunshine had returned after several stormy days.  Besides the sunshine, what also caught my eye were some sparkly things falling from above. When I looked down at the ground, I realized that I was looking at a glimmering patch of snow.  The perfect angle of the sun provided me with this magical winter moment.  The painter in me wondered how I could paint sparkly snow.

I should point out that I grew up near the shores of Lake Ontario in Central New York State.  The winters there were long and hard.  Snow was often measured in feet.  Needless to say, I was not a fan of winter for many years.  Painting gave me a way to appreciate winter and be better at going with the flow when it comes to snow.  

After a New Mexico snow I now enjoy looking at the various ways that it lands on objects and buildings.  Particularly beautiful are the flowing lines on the roofs and walls of adobe buildings.  This Native American and Spanish inspired architecture is covered with stucco that catches snow in unique ways.

Believe it or not, there are a number of landscape painters who paint au plein air all year.  During the winter they cut off the ends of their glove fingers and dress warm to be out in the cold.  I prefer to use reference photos when I am inspired to paint winter.  If you look close, there are a variety of muted colors in the winter landscape.

As you find yourself enjoying the winter of 2012 in all of its beauty, may you also appreciate painters of winter, and their works that are inspired by this season of darkness, cold, snow, ice, and the promise of spring.

Photos above:  Top: Snow Laden Branches, photo, 2005

                        Second: MJW The Webmaster, photo by Judy Hurula,

                        Background:  Sisters' Spring , 2006-2008, Oil On Canvas, 24 x 36