February 2026
Monthly Muse
I May have been Wrong . . .
Our January Monthly Muse started off with the words "Winter has made its long-awaited arrival—sudden, forceful, and unmistakable." Not to sound like a broken record, but I think winter is still building up. This past Sunday it started snowing mid-morning and didn't really stop until Monday night. Clearing snow in shifts felt like the best way to handle the storm, and thankfully, it was a very light, fluffy snow. After thirty-some hours of snow, we had almost twenty inches built up outside my "studio" double doors.
After the shoveling is done and after the driveway is plow, that is when the artfulness of the season can be enjoyed. On Wednesday I headed out to a local lake looking for images created by low angle light and was amazed to find acres of pristine, untouched snow on the lake. Not a track or footprint as far as I could see. It would have made a great image had there been a little sunlight or at least some shadows. But, winter doesn't always give you the light you want.
Weather Maps Courtesy of WMUR TVThe Color of Snow Is Never White
At first glance, snow appears white. But anyone who has spent time truly looking at a winter landscape knows that it rarely is.
Snow reflects the world around it. It gathers the blue of a clear February sky, the soft lavender of distant shadows, and the warm peach or pale gold of sunlight brushing across its surface. On overcast days it becomes silvery and muted. As evening approaches, those colors deepen, quietly shifting toward blue and violet as the light fades.
These subtle changes are what make winter so compelling for artists.
In February, the sun stays low in the sky, allowing light to skim across the landscape rather than shine straight down. Long shadows stretch across fields and frozen shorelines, revealing form through value and color rather than detail. Even the simplest scene becomes layered with quiet complexity.
Pastel and watercolor each respond beautifully to these conditions.
Pastel allows color to be built gradually, layer by layer, echoing the softness of snow itself. Gentle pressure and blended edges create a sense of glow, while small shifts in temperature bring life to areas that might otherwise feel flat.
Watercolor, with its transparency and flow, captures winter’s atmosphere — the hush after a snowfall, the softness of distant trees, or the way cold air seems to settle over the land. Washes merge naturally, mirroring how winter light transitions without sharp boundaries.
Once you begin seeing snow this way, it is impossible to think of it as white again.
It becomes a canvas of reflected light — calm, restrained, and constantly changing — offering endless inspiration during the quiet heart of a New England winter.
Changing Focus:
Photographing Through the Quiet Months
Each winter, my photographer’s brain slips into a familiar rut. The desire is there, but the motivation fades. I know I should head out before dawn to chase the first glow of sunrise—but when it’s below 10°F, the bed covers make a very convincing argument.
I remember an earlier chapter of life: pulling out of the driveway at 4 a.m., coffee mug wedged in the cup holder, camera gear charged and riding in the back seat. Somewhere on a high stretch of road I’d start watching for that first hint of light—the nautical sunrise, as it’s properly called.
Even now, I can almost feel the cold biting into my fingers as I set up the tripod, dial in shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and fine-tune focus. Then comes the mistake—grabbing the metal thermal mug for warmth, only to discover that while the coffee is hot, the outside has happily absorbed every sub-zero degree available. And that’s usually the moment I remember exactly why the bed covers tend to win.
So in January and February, I change gears. Instead of wide landscapes, I focus on birds and small, local subjects—anything that helps get me back into the rhythm of shooting and processing images. When the weather allows, I head out for short walks with the camera. If you look closely enough, winter offers plenty of small details that are surprisingly interesting—and sometimes even a little artsy.
Winter has a way of draining color from the landscape, especially during snowfall, which is why many of my winter scenes end up in black and white. But when you narrow your focus, color becomes the story. After a month or two of muted tones, I’m more than ready for spring.
That’s what led me this past weekend to the Wentworth Greenhouses in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, where I found a beautiful display of orchids and a wonderfully welcoming staff who encouraged me to photograph as much as I liked. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you may have already seen a few favorites from the visit.
Mike McQuade
Works in Progress
STORY BEHIND THE PAINTING. INSPIRATION, DESIRE, MEDIUM, SIZE, HOW IT WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE
Unnamed Art
12”x 16” Watercolor Painting
In the Frame Shoppe
Eye to Eye with White Tail Deer
12”x 9” Pastel Painting based on a photograph by Mike McQuade
Crimson Poppies
9”x 12” Pastel Painting in a white matte
12”x 16” frame
Recent Sales
Upcoming Art Classes
Classes held in the Lakes Region Art Gallery,
120 Laconia Rd (Tanger Outlets), Tilton, NH
Upcoming Classes
Available Classes
-
Master the art of soft hues with "Introduction to Pastels"!
Don’t miss your chance to explore this colorful journey—take this first step to reserve your spot today and get ready to create stunning pastel masterpieces!
5 week course, $200
-
Description text goes hereReady to explore the vibrant world of watercolor? Join juried artist Stephanie C. McQuade for a five-week, hands-on course at the Lakes Region Art Gallery in Tilton, NH.
Designed for absolute beginners and budding artists, this in-person class offers step-by-step guidance in a welcoming, fun, supportive environment. Whether you’re starting a new hobby, building skills, or just enjoying a creative outing, this class is the perfect place to begin.
5 week course, $200
-
Join my Watercolor on Canvas class to explore this unique medium! I provide a pre-prepped, high-quality canvas with a drawing ready to paint. Bring your favorite brushes and watercolors, or use my limited supplies. Unleash your creativity in a fun, professional setting—sign up now!
-
Take your watercolor skills to the next level with juried artist Stephanie C. McQuade in this five-week in-person course designed for students with basic watercolor experience.
5 week course, $200
Click here to get on the waiting list.
The current Watercolor for Beginners and Watercolor Workout classes started January 20th and barring any weather delays should complete by the middle of February.
The next class sessions are scheduled are Watercolor Workout and a new course, Pastels Beyond Basics.
Stephanie is currently negotiating for teaching her fun and informative classes in Meredith and Wolfeboro New Hampshire
