Northern Lights and Winter Adventures in Iceland

I hope you’re having a cozy winter. I’ve just returned from a magical short trip to Iceland—a mix of work, inspiration, and a little adventure. I was there for a conference, but since the event didn’t start until Monday, I flew in early to explore over the weekend. I had visited Iceland before, so this time I decided to see a part of the country I hadn’t experienced yet: the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, about two hours north of Reykjavík.

The day I arrived was sunny but extremely cold. In December, Iceland only gets a few hours of daylight, but the light itself is so special—soft, golden, and almost dreamlike. It feels as if the entire day takes place in one long sunrise and sunset. I packed my sketching kit as always, but the freezing temperatures and quick stops meant I could only do fast five-minute sketches from inside the minibus. Still, I took many photos, especially of the cute Icelandic houses, that I’m excited to paint in the coming months.

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing the Northern Lights again. It was my third time, but the strongest and most beautiful display I’ve ever witnessed. I joined a night tour that took us far away from the city lights. The sky was clear, the moon was bright, and the stars were sparkling. For nearly two hours, the auroras appeared and disappeared in shifting shapes above us. Standing there in complete silence—surrounded by snow, mountains, and darkness—felt incredibly peaceful and magical.

Back at the hotel, I made a couple of quick sketches to capture the feeling of the night. Even though painting houses is still my favorite subject, I’ve been experimenting with painting the Northern Lights in watercolor for a while. There’s so much water and pigment involved that you never quite know how the final painting will turn out—which feels fitting for something as unpredictable as the aurora itself.

If you’d like these views on your wall, I also have a collection of Northern Lights giclée prints available in my Etsy shop. They capture the soft glow and dreamy colors of watercolor—perfect for anyone who loves landscapes and night skies.

This year, I also created a new wall calendar inspired by the auroras. Each month features a different magical scene, and the pages can be framed as 8x10 prints once the month is over.

Thank you for following along on my art adventures.