School break

This folk-art style painting depicts a vibrant, snow-covered residential street in Montreal. The composition is anchored by a row of classic brick townhouses featuring distinctive exterior metal staircases that zigzag up to the upper floors. The buildings are painted in warm, contrasting hues of bright red, yellow, and deep magenta, standing out sharply against the thick blankets of white snow covering the roofs and the ground.

The foreground is a bustling scene of winter activity. Numerous children in colorful winter gear—bright jackets, hats, and scarves—are scattered across the street, engaged in playful activities such as ice skating, running, and playing with hockey sticks. To the right, a small red compact car is partially covered in snow, with a person interacting with it, while a small white dog stands watch nearby. Other figures are positioned on the building balconies, looking down at the street below.

The artwork uses thick, expressive brushstrokes characteristic of a naive or folk art medium, lending the scene a charming, storybook quality. The palette is dominated by the stark contrast between the icy, cool blues and whites of the wintry environment and the warm, intense colours of the architecture and clothing. The lighting suggests a bright, crisp winter day, with cool shadows stretching across the snow and soft, even illumination highlighting the lively, joyful movements of the children.