“Sleigh Ride on the Ave”, Lorraine Young, soft pastels on Canson Mi-Teintes Touch, 15 ¼” x 10 ½’ $200 unframed

There is something magical about a winter sleigh ride, even when it’s in the middle of of a bustling city just before Christmas, instead of on an idyllic country road.   Thanks to Edmonton’s Old Strathcona-Whyte Avenue  and to Longriders , for the opportunity in mid-December to hop on a horse-drawn wagon and take a ride around the city’s Whyte Avenue shopping district.  A brief warm spell had caused much of the snow to melt, but the sound of the horses’ hooves clomping along the streets in time with the jingling of their bells helped to keep Christmas spirits high.

For this painting, I wanted snow (that wasn’t in my reference photo!).  I looked out the window and got my inspiration – we’re knee deep in it now, and the cold is back too!