Style Imitating Art: Snow Shadows by Tom Thomson & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #253
About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, and Terri of MeadowTree Style. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as curator, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the curator by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the curator will share all of the submissions on her blog.
You don’t have to be a blogger to join! You are invited to share your images on Instagram or other social media platforms! Just be sure to tag Salazar, Terri, and Daenel or use #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!
The Inspiration Artwork
The inspiration artwork was curated by Terri of MeadowTree Style. You can read why she has chosen this specific piece as her inspiration artwork here.
Snow Shadows by Tom Thomson (Oil on Wood Panel, 1916)
About the Artist: Tom Thomson
Thomas John “Tom” Thomson (August 5, 1877 – July 8, 1917) was a Canadian artist born in Claremont, Ontario, the sixth of ten children born to John and Margaret Thomson, an unsuccessful farming family. Tom and his siblings all enjoyed drawing and painting, although Tom never showed any obvious artistic talents early in life. He was pulled out of school at an early age due to health reasons which gave him time to explore nature and the woods around his rural home. Thomson would often join his father in bailing on the farm chores for outdoor adventures like fishing, hiking, or hunting. He was also an enthusiastic sportsman who enjoyed both football and swimming with rigor.
In 1898, Thomson and all of his siblings each received an inheritance of $2000 from their paternal grandfather. It seems Thomson had spent all of his inheritance within the first year and became a machine shop apprentice at an iron foundry to support himself. He left that job after 8 months and attempted to enlist in the military during the Second Boar War. He was denied enlistment due to medical reasons each of the three times he attempted. So in 1901, he enrolled in the Canada Business College instead where he learned penmanship and copperplate skills. After just 6 months of study at the business school, Thomson was hired as a pen artist, draftsman, and etcher at Maring & Ladd, where he mainly produced business cards, brochures, posters, and three color printing. Despite earning a substantial salary, Thomson left the firm at the end of 1904 and moved to Toronto in early 1905, where he worked for the photoengraving firm Legg Brothers earning $11 a week (approximately $315 per week in today’s value).
Around this time, Thomson may have studied art with British painter William Cruikshank, which would be the only time that he received any sort of formal art training. In 1908, he switched jobs again, moving to Grip Ltd. where he specialized in design and lettering work. This is where many of the eventual Group of Seven were first meeting one another. The Group of Seven was a group of Canadian landscape painters from 1920 to 1933. Although it was formed after Thomson’s death, he is still considered an honorary member and his work is often shown in the same exhibits with other Group of Seven artists.
In May 1912, at the age of 34, Thomson was first introduced to Algonquin Provincial Park which he became infatuated with for the remainder of his life. He drew much of his painting inspiration from the landscape in and around the park. Up until this time, he also did not take his art very seriously and would chuckle at the idea of selling his paintings. It was at this time that he acquired his first set of sketching equipment. In 1913, he had his first art exhibit where he sold his painting Northern Lake to the Ontario government for $250. The sale of this painting allowed him to paint and sketch through the spring and autumn of 1913. Almost all of his work focuses on landscape and images of nature, specifically iconic images of Canadian nature. He and the Group of Seven rarely painted people in their works. The few times that Thomson did paint a human subject, it was always someone personally close to him.
He was very shy and withdrawn from social interactions for all of his life. He never married and had no children. Although it is rumored that he was engaged to Winifred Trainor whose family owned a cottage on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park. The wedding was planned for late 1917, but Thomson died that July in a canoeing accident. There is not much else known about his betrothed. Thomson’s death has been the subject of much speculation because he was a skilled canoeist. Rumors have circulated that it was either suicide or murder, but the official record shows that his canoe disappeared on Canoe Lake on July 8, 1917, and was spotted upturned and empty in the lake later that afternoon. His body was found 8 days later with a 4 inch cut on his right temple and evidence of significant bleeding from his ear. He was 39 years old at the time of his death, just as he was beginning to make his career as an artist. Since his death, Thomson’s paintings continue to grow in value and popularity. His works have come to represent the beautiful landscape of his country while Thomson himself has become the manifestation of “the Canadian character”. Most of his works are housed in museums throughout Canada with a few still remaining in private collections. His early death is viewed as a tragedy for Canadian art.
About the Art: Snow Shadows
Throughout his short career, Tom Thomson produced approximately 400 oil sketches on wood panels as well as roughly 50 larger canvas paintings. His work consists almost entirely of landscapes which depict trees, skies, lakes, and rivers. He was fond of broad brush strokes and applied his paints liberally to capture the beautiful colors of the Ontario landscape.
Snow Shadows was one of his oil sketches on wood panels which measures 21.5 cm (8.4 in) by 26.9 cm (10.5 in). He painted this work in the spring of 1916. It is currently owned by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Vaughan, Ontario.
The painting depicts bare winter trees casting dark shadows on the freshly fallen snow on a Canadian hillside. You can see the thick, heavy brush strokes in the photographs and I imagine the oil on wood probably creates a really cool texture on the original work if viewed in person. He used various dark, light, and muted shades to create the shadows of the trees and the appearance of dusk as the setting sun casts the shadows on the snow. The colors I see are black, white, grays, blues, greens and golds, and tiny hints of red or orange.
Resources/References:
- Tom Thomson: Wikipedia
- Group of Seven: Wikipedia
- Algonquin Provincial Park: Wikipedia
- Wikimedia Commons: File:Tom Thomson Snow Shadows.jpg
- Tom Thomson Catalogue Entry: Snow Shadows
About my Outfit Inspired by Snow Shadows
The day that Terri shared the curated artwork for this challenge, we had a coating of freshly fallen snow so I got straight to work so as not to miss this serendipitous weather event for Style Imitating Art. Serendipitous things seem to happen often when it comes to me and SIA!
At first my attention was drawn to the few black tree trunks near the center of the painting between all the other lighter colored tree trunks. I decided to start with a column of black as my baseline for this outfit to represent those trees. I wore a black ribbed bodycon turtleneck dress that I found on Target clearance at the end of last winter. This is its first time out to play.
Something about the golds and greens in the tree trunks made me think of this shiny green velvet shirt that I have had for quite a few years. I wore it both tied at the waist and left hanging open as well. I am unsure of which way I prefer it.
I knew I wanted to wear boots that were close to the color of snow but not so white that they would blend right in. These bone colored knee high boots were the perfect color for what I wanted but the front cut out bit kind of annoyed with the midi length of the dress.
I added a plaid overcoat in gray and tan (also found on Target clearance at the end of last winter). I was actually struggling with my coat decision until I put the image of Snow Shadows on my phone and ran it across the sleeves of all of my coats. This is the one that matched the best! Pearly jewelry, nude colored gloves, and my black beret were the finishing touches.
Then Jeff took me out to a snowy wooded hillside near enough to Canada and told me to be “all wavy like the trees”. And so I did.
To see more outfits inspired by Tom Thomson’s Snow Shadows, please visit Terri’s post tomorrow for the complete roundup of submissions. You can also read the details of Terri’s own inspired outfit here, Salazar’s here, and Daenel’s here. Have you joined the Style Imitating Art challenges yet? Be sure to check for the next prompt on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Featured Favorites
Reader Favorite: Joanne of Slices of Life
Fashion Favorite: Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
Non-Fashion Favorite: Suzy of The Grey Brunette
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Coat and Dress-Target / Boots-Shoe Dazzle / Gloves-Wona Trading / Hat-TJMaxx / Tights-c/o Sheertex / Shirt-c/o ZanStyle / Necklace and Earrings-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
50 Comments
Kathrine Eldridge
I love your look and photos for this piece of artwork! That green top is so pretty and loving the pearl accents and boots. Thanks so much for the link up Shelbee!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kathrine, thanks so much! I have had this green top for a few years and it finally fits me properly! It has been a bit too snug since I’ve had it. It is a wonderful winter layering piece. I hope you are having a magnificent week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
Your photos are beautiful! Love the inspiration piece and how you styled your outfit!
Jill – Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jill! I really appreciate that. I hope your week is off to a great start!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michele Morin
Always intrigued by your creativity and enthusiasm!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh wow, thank you so much, Michele! I do get very enthusiastic about this SIA series…I think because it really sparks my creativity!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
I think that your photos, especially the ones without the coat, reflects the painting perfectly. But it does make me cold! Is the snow already so thich at your place? My goodness. But the photos are gorgeous!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, my friend. We did have a nice coating of snow but then it has been unseasonably warm the past few days so everything has melted. And then today, it is all covered in frost! The snow does make for a beautiful background for photos and it’s not too terribly cold yet!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
Nailed it! I love the backdrop and the green velvet top you added to echo the colors in the art! Fabulous job and fabulous outfit!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aww, thanks so much, Laura! I don’t know what it was about the green velvet that really brought the painting to life for me in the outfit, but I love the way it worked for me. This green velvet top appeared in a very early SIA for me…Girl with a Pearl Earring. I wore it with black lace pants for that post. It is actually a very versatile statement piece that I have worn quite a bit!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
You look so pretty!! I really love your coat!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! This coat was such a great bargain. I bought it in a dark camel color as well. I wore for the last SIA!
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy
Such a lovely outfit. I especially like the green top and the plaid coat. Thanks for the party.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Amy! I was really pleased with this outfit! I wish I had somewhere to go wearing it. I might be due for a date night. I’ll have to make that happen! I hope your week is going well!
xoxo
Shelbee
jess jannenga
What a pretty painting! Great interpretation, love that you ran out when you saw the snow. The trees behind you and the colors you used were just perfect! Love the green velvet top and those neutral booties are so pretty.
No snow here – even though I wish for it for Christmas! I will be in Philly , so I may get my wish. I enjoy reading about the artwork. See, I say you learn something new every day!
jess xx
http://www.elegnaltydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jess! I do get excited over the first few snowfalls around here! It makes the best backgrounds. But when it is still snowing 5-6 months from now, then I have had quite enough. But I do enjoy a white Christmas! I hope we both get one! I am so glad that you enjoyed this mini art lesson. This is why I love this series so much…it prompts me to learn something new which I then share with you all…because why not learn something new just for the heck of it?! Haha. Geez, this blogging community is such a huge blessing, isn’t it?!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
What a classy look!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
This is such a beautiful look and it compliments the artwork very well. My favorite pieces are the green moss colored velvet top and I love those natural colored tall boots with the slit in the front. So pretty!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Carrie, thanks so much, my friend. I am digging this artwork a lot and I was really happy with how this outfit came together. It is so fun to use art to inspire an outfit. It really helps me to get super creative! I hope you are having a fabulous week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
You nailed it. Looking so very nice. Great job and thanks for info about the artist. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I hope you are well! I feel awful that I haven’t been around reading and commenting on blog posts. I will get back to it soon!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I love this art series so much; I always learn something new! You look fabulous. I love those boots and you look great in hats. Thank you so much for featuring my post from last week.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Joanne, thanks so much, my friend. I loving learning about these artists, too! And it is nice to participate in a series that I don’t run, too! It takes the pressure off and makes it all about the creative fun for me. Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Valerie h Hansen
Hi Shelbee
I am jello of all your snow…no chance of that here in Vegas, just a horrible windstorm today..EEEK!
You look lovely in that plaid coat..so pretty!
Have a very merry holiday and Christmas!
xo
Valerie
http://www.mapleleopard.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Valerie, thank you so very much! We had a crazy windstorm here the other night, too…but ours had some rain with it. And the rain washed away all the snow! I hope you have a very blessed holiday, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Very cool that you had the landscape – trees and snow – for this style challenge. I love the green velvet blouse. It really sets the tone for the entire outfit, which is lovely.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Michelle! I don’t know what it was about the blouse but it really was perfect for this challenge. I think it’s the way the velvet shimmers and shadows!
xoxo
Shelbee
Katie
Love the painting for this challenge and how you chose to interpret it! This is a great winter outfit and looks so pretty against the backdrop of snow! Thanks for the linkup!
-Katie
http://www.hellokatiegirlblog.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Katie! I feel like the outfit and the photos are moodier than my norm, but I really liked the final outcome, too. I hope you are having a great week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Angie
Hi, Shelbee – It’s awful when the dress and boot lengths make us uncomfortable, but it looks really interesting the way the cut-out in the front of the boots makes a black dip design from the tights! Thanks for sharing your creative process – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Angie! I am wondering if maybe my tights were less opaque, if it would look less “heavy” around that part of my leg. Or if the hemline was just a tiny bit higher. These are cool boots though with the funky cut out bit. I will have to try them over leggings or something, too. The only other time I have these boots was for Jeff’s retirement under a long duster so you can’t even see them.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Shelbee, first of all, this is simply the most gorgeous photo shoot of all time! There is just something about bare trees and snow! Add in a stunning woman and you’ve got perfection! I love absolutely everything about your interpretation! I am so jealous of the snow. We probably won’t have any snow until late January or February and it will be pathetic (thanks, global warming). I love how you were literal in your interpretation and yet put your own spin on it! Brava!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, my friend! I do love when the first snows fall and our part of the world is blanketed in white. It really does make for wonderful photoshoot backgrounds. Our January and February snow, however, is not pathetic! It is quite the opposite when the lake effect hits us. It is mesmerizing and awe-inspiring to behold but difficult for photoshoots. Ha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Cheryl Shops
I’ve never heard of this artist, but it’s a lovely painting, and your outfit definitely evokes the colors and vibe. As always, I truly enjoy this series of yours!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so very much, Cheryl! I had never hear of this artist either…which is why I love this series so much! It prompts me to go learn something new and it really does ignite my creativity!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
How fabulous are these photos?!! Absolutely FREAKING FABULOUS, that’s what they are! I love everything about this — the colours, the setting, the snow and of course your gorgeousness, Shelbee. I did giggle at Jeff telling you to be all wave like the trees! LOL that’s brilliant. I also love that you drove almost to Canada to get the perfect location! So, so cool!
I’ve been missing all the SIA posts lately but I will returning to it soon!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my goodness, Suzy, thank you so much! You just made me smile so big! What a wonderful way to start the day. But now I am laughing about this part…”I also love that you drove almost to Canada to get the perfect location! So, so cool!” I must explain…we only drove a few minutes from our house but we live “almost in Canada” (less than 25 miles/40 km) so it is basically the same landscape as Canada! I look forward to seeing you back in the SIA game! Have a fabulous day, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lizzie
This is a GORGEOUS outfit! Probably one of my favorites from you! Just perfect!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Lizzie, thanks so much! I felt pretty sassy and sophisticated wearing this!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
Shelbee,
What a gorgeous setting for these photos and you’re outfit is a marvelous take on the art piece. You did a great job of tying back to the colors and mode of the artwork. Even the front V detail of the boots (which you said was a drawback) works in well as it helps to echo the verticality of the trees in the landscape. Well done!
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh, Rena, thank you so much! I like that perspective on the boot cut out! Maybe I will change my mind about it now. Thanks for the new perspective! I do have so much fun with these art challenges. Jeff and I were just scrolling through the Style Imitating Art page where I have them all in one and recalling how much fun we have had with each shoot!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lauren Renee Sparks
Fabulous job. So beautiful.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lauren! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Maureen
What a beautiful painting! You did a great job on your interpretation and truly love how it looks without the jacket.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Maureen! I really liked the way this outfit turned out. I felt very sassy in it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Chickenruby
Love how your chosen outfits allow you to blend into the background.
Thank you for linking with #pocolo and wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Suzanne! I am very deliberate in choosing my backgrounds for these SIA challenges. I appreciate that you noticed that! Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara Chapman
Shelbee, I wonder if Tom Thomson didn’t fall in the canoe and hit his head… Tragic loss for Canada and the art world and for his fiancée and family, too. I’ve been there… My first fiancé died in a bicycle crash head on (small pickup turned into his path as he rode down a long, steep hill) back when he was 20 and I was 21. His painting is beautiful and I bet it is really lovely in person! On my Instagram is a friend I met up at the last campground we stayed at and her name is Cereese Steele. I think you are going to love her artwork! She was painting form inside their trailer when we all lived at Wagon Master RV Park three years back and I mentioned to her how good her artwork was (which I think she knew but wasn’t ready to sell then; she is now. 🙂 ). Do check out her cardinals in the woods series she shared…
Anyway, I loved your outfit and did want to say I was happy to feature your post at Share Your Style #330 this week (which of course you already know!). I hope your Christmas was wonderful with hubby and the boys, and I hope the coming New Year 2022 is good for you all.
Many hugs,
Barb 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Barb, thanks so much for sharing this comment! I just checked out Cereese on IG and followed her. OMG, her artwork is absolutely stunning! You were right…I really do love it. The textures she uses are so bold and interesting. I will definitely have to check out more about her and her art.
Also, thank you for sharing your story about your first fiancé. You were so young to experience such traumatic loss. My mother lost her first fiancé when she was just 19 and he was 21. He was killed in Vietnam and remained a very big part of our family and our family history after my mother met and married my father. I grew up with a large Bible that was prominently displayed on a table at the foot of my parents’ bed…it was an engagement gift to my mother and her fiancé and it had their names engraved in gold on the front cover. My father always allowed my mother to keep her first fiancé close to her heart. In fact, his father was my oldest sister’s godfather, that’s how close we remained to that family. While I have never experienced that type of loss, I did grow up with a mother who experienced that type of loss and it was a very heavy loss, for sure. I find it very interesting that this is the place where you found common ground with the artist I wrote about…and that is the beauty of human connection…we never were connections will find us!
I hope you have a wonderful new year filled with much joy and many blessings, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee