Friday 8 January 2010

Behind a Curtain of Icicles

When I opened the curtains of one of the upstairs rooms to look at the snow tonight, the enchanting sight of an outside curtain of huge icicles amazed me. In the orangey-yellow glow of a street light, the scene looked fantastical.

I experimented with the colours a little here to try and express the atmosphere ...

The otherwordly outside seems accentuated by the everyday items indoors, such as the Ikea vases and the clothes-dryer!





I was fascinated by the way the pattern on the net curtain somehow blended in with the condensation on the glass, and the icicles beyond.


The last photo has not been adjusted at all. I could gaze for hours at the jewel-like droplets glistening in the light, and seeing shapes and shadows in this magical-mundane occurrence!








40 comments:

Paulie said...

Just beautiful and interesting too! No icicles here and no snow after three days after our first snowfall. Every one else seems to be getting öur"snow.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Paulie. I don't recall having icicles of this magnitude here before, and we've had far more snow than usual - maybe it is 'your' snow!

Rune Eide said...

Here you have me - I have never seen anything like this. Curtains inside and outside and the largest icicles I have seen for a very long time.

Diane AZ said...

Truly beautiful and magical images. The color from the street lamp really adds warmth to that icy scene. And I like the reflection on the window sill.

Funny, I was just experimenting with layering an image of condensation on glass with something else. It hasn't worked out yet. Here you've discovered ready-made art at your window. Great find!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

It also looks paintastical... did you add a filter or summink in PS? Looks cool!

Anna said...

Brrrrrrrr but how beautiful Phoenix. This snowy spell has certainly offered the opportunity to take some great photos. I believe that there is more snow coming your way this weekend so take care if you have to venture out.

Malyss said...

At first sight , I Thought it was one of your drawings. then I read your words, and ...WOAW! it's an incredible beauty!I never saw such a thing. It must not be easy to live in the cold and with so much snow, BUT this wonderful view is such a gift from the nature! Thank you for sharing!

Prospero said...

Is magical-mundane a new oxymoron? I get a shivers just looking at these (oh so foreign) icicles.
They certainly have the ability to beautify a window. It's hard not to be in awe of nature - even as we try to keep it at bay.

Carol said...

Utter enchantment... beautiful... I love every single photograph. Those icicles are daunting! These images make me very happy.

Totalfeckineejit said...

I'm jealous of those pics they're fantastic!

Phoenix C. said...

RuneE - I've been amazed walking around here how long the icicles are on the houses. I've never seen anything like it before. I'm surprised that the icicles in Norway are not always even larger than this!

Phoenix C. said...

Diane, thank you! The icicles don't look as magical during the day - one doesn't notice them as much.

Interesting that you also are producing images of condensation on glass. I've always enjoyed the effect of light from outside shining through the beads of moisture - during the day today there have been times when it has looked like diamante decorations!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Monica. I lightened the dark of the interior on the large window photos so you can see the ornaments, (they were very dark initially), and on the bluish one I think I added a blue filter - I should have written it down so I'd remember!

When I use the Manual setting on my camera I often get a nice grainy effect - I think I'm actually doing something wrong, but I like the result!!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Anna!

More snow? Maybe I'll make some snow sculptures - and all weekend socializing will be done in the walkable vicinity!

Phoenix C. said...

Glad you like the view, Malyss and thank you!

We are not used to so much snow and cold here, and it does cause a lot of disruption. However, there is so much beauty around, and enjoying this does warm one from inside!

Phoenix C. said...

Prospero - yes, it does sound like an oxymoron!! I use the words together in the sense of the magic I perceive in the everyday things that surround us - that sense of wonder from light on the ripples in a bowl of water, the beautiful markings on courgettes, the smell of porridge!

Phoenix C. said...

Carol, I'm really glad my images make you happy! That is an honour indeed, and one of my underlying values is to spread happiness through what I do.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you TFE - that is a great compliment! I really seized the moment, because I was supposed to be doing something else, and it was about 3 am before I had the chance to go through them properly!

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

you've had some 'weather' in the north east!!!!

I can't comment on the best pic, just that they make me want to stay tucked up indoors.

More snow for many Sunday, we may have a smattering tomorrow.

Rob

Phoenix C. said...

I think some areas of the UK have had it even worse than us in the North East, Rob!

Tucked up indoors is a good place to be, although shovelling mountains of snow is quite warming!! Especially when followed by a tot of whisky in one's mug of tea ...

dmarks said...

Any more snow, and you will get icicles that will cage you in.

Phoenix C. said...

Possibly, dmarks! But we've got plenty of food, and I guess we could use the icicles to grow beans up.

Bay Area Tendrils said...

As always, your images transport me .... in the best way!
Alice

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Alice!

The icicles are melting now, so I'm glad I photographed them when I did!

Barbara Martin said...

Icicles are so delicate and beautiful, yet dangerous. These examples are superb, Phoenix. I could look at them for hours.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Barbara. They have all disappeared now - it was interesting seeing them gradually melt. Now I'm eagerly watching to see if there will be snowdrops pushing up from under the receding snow!

Claude said...

I'm in Texas now, but I have wonderful memories of looking out through walls of 6 foot icicles in the midwest... Amazing pictures, and you captured a wonderful mood.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Claude! It is very unusual for us to have these conditions over here and I'm glad I managed to capture the mood.

Rachel Fox said...

I particularly like the third one down. Would make a great book illustration.
x

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Rachel! Maybe a story about sliding down one of the icicles and finding oneself in another frozen world ...

Jasmine said...

These pictures are wonderful. You have not been showing up on my blog roll. Google is hiding people! i've just put you on my list of muses to make sure I don't miss any more posts x

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Jasmine!

I've been experiencing problems with Google and Blogger too - when I click on blogs to read, they frequently come up blank, and it takes several tries to view the blog and another several to leave comments.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I somehow missed this beautiful post. The icicles through the windows are so pretty! I don't think I've ever seen icicles like that here, and certainly not this mild winter.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Catherine! Our winter has been unusually snowy so far, however, the icicles are all gone now, and the snowdrops beginning to appear, which is very welcome. (I've been busy with artwork, and have missed visiting all my favourite blogs, so I'm looking forward to catching up soon!)

alaine@éclectique said...

Looking forward to that! Good to hear you've been productive during your winter! xa

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Alaine! Still finishing projects and no time for blogging (also getting a blank screen often when I do try and visit blogs)- but hopefully soon!!

CIELO said...

These views are so enchanting... as if I'm entering into a magical land where I tiptoe all mysteries...

cielo

Pondside said...

I don't know how I missed this post!
We don't get icicles here, but when we lived in Norther Alberta our windows were an ever-changing ice show. Some winters it wasn't possible to see clearly through the kitchen window due to the ice build-up. The back yard took on a mysterious, other worldly aspect.
Gorgeous photos!

Jasmine said...

Hey there, I noted you have not been around for a while. I hope everything is ok? Enjoy your weekend xJ

Jillien said...

These photos are stunning.