My father baled this hay late in the year.  Before he could move the bales to storage, a November rainy spell made the field interminably soggy.  Consequently, the bales remained in place across the field with winter approaching.  On the morning of my visit, frost had formed on the bales overnight.  As each bale was touched by the morning sun, the frost on it would melt and evaporate.  This evaporation was so intense that the bales appeared to "smoke". 

My goal for this painting was to depict the affect of a field of frost-covered, "smoking" bales.  To accomplish this, my primary statements in the composition were lighting typical of early winter morning and cold temperature.  The sky displays warmth typical at sunrise.  I strongly stated the length of the shadows to echo the low sun angle of winter.  The position of the winter sun also is also evident in the distant hills.  Light flows almost horizontally over the distant hills.  To draw extra attention to the jack frost, I reserved for it the coolest color in the composition.  In showcasing this coldness, it was crucial to not overdo it and say snow instead.  Lines of green in the field dispel the idea of snow.