Promise of Spring 1930

Frank Johnston made this painting, “Promise of Spring,” and it really captures that moment of transition, where winter’s grip is loosening. You can see it in the brushstrokes, a mix of delicate touches and slightly more assertive marks, almost like the artist is feeling out the shift in seasons. The materiality of this work is so present, it's like you can feel the cold air and the wet snow. The paint is applied in layers, with some areas thin and transparent, allowing the canvas to peek through, while others are built up, creating a tangible texture that mirrors the rough bark of the trees and the uneven surface of the snow. Look at the way the light hits the stream in the foreground, it shimmers. You can imagine someone like Lawren Harris finding something similar in this scene, they’re both attuned to the subtleties of light and color, turning observation into something deeply felt. Ultimately, “Promise of Spring” is more than just a landscape; it's a meditation on change, and the cyclical nature of life.