5 Unexpected Sources of Winter Inspiration

For those who love colorful artwork, winter can feel like a dreary time that lacks visual inspiration. Perhaps it feels like there’s only so much artwork one can create that’s inspired by barren landscapes, limited colors, and a lack of vibrancy. But there’s so much more to be found in this season than meets the eye, from moods and memories to the moments of beauty hiding within the sleeping natural world. Collected from the pages of Somerset Studio, the following creations capture elements of winter that are often overlooked but are oh so inspiring.

LINDA TRENHOLM⎟ SOMERSET STUDIO WINTER 2025

Created by Linda Trenholm, this journal spread exudes a wintry feeling without being literal. A vintage image of a young girl bundled-up in her winter coat is complemented by a timeworn collaged background. The muted blue-green palette is the perfect choice for capturing the feeling of cold winter air using color. See more in the Winter 2026 Issue of Somerset Studio.

PATTY WOOTTON⎟ SOMERSET STUDIO WINTER 2026

Whether from our own family or those of strangers, vintage photos stir the imagination and conjure memories for us all. Created by Patty Wootton, this panel featuring an old black-and-white photo of a forest road can represent an array of winter memories, from driving to a relative’s house for a holiday dinner, to adventuring in the wilderness to cut down a Christmas tree, to finding the perfect forest slope for sledding. See more in the Winter 2026 Issue of Somerset Studio.

KIM COLLISTER⎟ SOMERSET STUDIO AUTUMN 2025

A more abstract winter mood can be captured by embracing a slightly gothic, “dark academia” style in your artwork, as Kim Collister did with her set of collaged blocks. Darker, dramatic colors, somber portraits, and distressed elements all evoke wintry vibes in an abstract way, no barren trees or snowflakes needed. See more in the Autumn 2025 Issue of Somerset Studio.

LYNNE MONCRIEFF⎟ SOMERSET STUDIO SPRING 2025

Sometimes the best way to be inspired by winter is to celebrate what many don’t enjoy about it. Challenge yourself with the limitations on color, exploring subtle variations of earth tones. In lieu of vivid flowers and leaves, embrace the textures of winter through distressed finishes, rough textiles, and natural elements. Lynne Moncrieff did all of this and more when she created these stunning nature-inspired textile panels. See more in the Spring 2025 Issue of Somerset Studio.

PATTY WOOTTON⎟ SOMERSET STUDIO WINTER 2022

This visual anthology by Patty Wootton draws inspiration from the life of Safranka Jas Leon, an artist living through harsh South Dakota winters in a cold, drafty Victorian home. Using worn book covers, vintage photographs, letters, and ephemera, Patty captures the quiet, inward nature of winter. The aged materials and muted tones naturally reflect the season’s stillness. 

Find more unexpected sources of inspiration in our Somerset Studio Magazine.