Horse Racing in Winter 1927

Look at this painting by Clarence Gagnon. It captures a winter horse race, probably in Quebec, with these cool blues and whites making the snow feel extra crisp. I can almost feel Gagnon there, bundled up, trying to catch the energy of the scene. The paint is laid on pretty flat, but it's got this lively rhythm, like he's sketching with colour. The way he dabs the paint for the crowd and the racing horses —you can almost hear the bells jingling and the shouts of the people. It reminds me of those times when you're painting, trying to nail down a feeling, and you just go for it, hoping to capture the vibe before it fades. You can see that Gagnon's not just painting what he sees, but also what he feels about this winter day. Painting isn’t just about copying; it’s like having a conversation across time, with other artists, with yourself. It’s open-ended, uncertain, and always up for grabs, just like life.