Winter 1981

Eyvind Earle made 'Winter' without a known date using, most likely, gouache. This work stands out because of its clear, deliberate color choices and how Earle treats the material. There’s a distinct layering of blues and whites, creating depth with flat areas of color. Look at how the snow drapes over the rocks and trees—it’s all about clean lines and sharp edges. The paint application feels precise, almost like cut paper. No visible brushstrokes here, which makes the landscape feel a bit surreal. See the stark contrast between the snow and tree bark? It gives everything a graphic punch. Earle had a stint with Disney, and you can spot that influence here in the stylized trees. He might be pulling a page from artists like Lawren Harris and the Group of Seven, who were all about distilling landscapes to their simplest, most striking forms. It’s all a reminder that art doesn’t have to be complicated to be compelling.