First Frost (With Leaf) by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
It’s been weeks since Chicago’s first frost, and it’s something that didn’t stay around for very long. It had other things to do: other places to go. Given the current state of the Midwestern USA, I don’t blame it. On the night before this photo was taken, it was warm. It was wet. A cold front moved in, during the night’s darkest hours; by daybreak, the night’s wetness (and a single, fallen leaf) were frozen where they landed. They were held in place by a thin and fragile membrane of ice. As the day warmed, slightly, water beneath its crystalline skin of ice began to flow into different patterns. In a way, perhaps, Winter was attempting to write its name in the ice. Though winter is a universal concept, it stands to reason that individual winters differ from each other. It is—in that way of thinking—necessary for each winter to write its name, to declare itself, to differentiate itself from winters past and winters future. At least that’s how I see it, when I enter into a somewhat mytho-poetic mindstate. I was in such a mindstate when I took this photograph. I found this image the week before pecking random letters on my laptop keyboard and settling on “GWOT” for truly random reasons. As you can now see a few posts earlier in my gallery, “Gwot” has taken on its own meaning, and perhaps in a way, Gwot may be the name of this year’s winter as well….
Or not…
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.

Comments (21)
Wonderful image and discussion. I was wondering about the name of your universe/world/country/city-state
Great photo, Chip.:)
I'm totally captivated by the texture of the thin ice over what I presume to be pavement. Lovely!
great capture
Oh this is lovely; the contrast of the yellow leaf with the blue-tinged ice, and the shapes of the ice itself are all really appealing. Well captured, Chip!
Amazing winter find and capture my friend. God Bless.
Amazing texture and color, and great concept!
Urban ice icon. Perfect.
Brilliant! I like it loads, but am speechless. It's just ... well, it's brilliant!
Love the patterns in the ice & the sharp color contrast that the leaf provides - very well seen & captured...
Nice shot. Excellent. B->
Nice color and contrast!
That is indeed a wonderful shot, Chip. Love the colors and texture. And also the little story about it :)
This single sheet has a bit of sadness.... and is equally beautiful. This is melancholy. GREAT Pic!!
i like this combination with the dark background, small ice coating and the warm color of this leaf! contrast and together...
superb capture!
Well seen, dear Chip. Also winter has its own beauty and glory.
beauty in its final throes
Beautiful piece of art work
wow. great composition. Well done
I like it - frozen in time!