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Sunrays and Snow, Barn Hill, Stamford is an original oil painting by Nick Grove.
Painted en plein air by Stamford artist Nick Grove.
I remember making this painting with particular clarity. It was a cold, snow-covered morning in Stamford, only a few years after I had moved there, and being out early with my easel felt quietly exhilarating. Even in the depths of winter, there was a sense of purpose and privilege in being alone with the town as it slowly woke.
It was among Stamford’s Georgian streets that I truly learned to paint en plein air. Exploring on foot led me to Barn Hill, a steep and secluded street in the heart of the town, serving only a handful of private houses. With almost no traffic, it feels detached from modern life, as though time has gently folded back on itself.
Snow had fallen overnight, and I arrived at first light, having planned the view carefully in advance. The street was silent and still. Although the cold was sharp, the anticipation of the rising sun—and a flask of coffee—kept me warm enough to work. I blocked in the painting methodically, pausing briefly before committing to the next layer, mindful of the temperature and working steadily to avoid disturbing the surface.
As the morning progressed, the town began to stir. A few early commuters passed, stopping to offer encouragement. When the sun finally broke through, its warmth was fleeting but welcome. After another forty-five minutes, the cold had taken its toll on my hands and I packed up. I later learned that mittens with heat packs were far more effective than the fingerless gloves I used then.
This painting holds the quiet discipline of those early mornings—attention, patience, and the satisfaction of working directly from life.
