Alaleas at Butchart Gardens

 

A couple years back, I had the good fortune to visit Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The gardens are spectacular. There's no way to see everything in a day. This painting was inspired from some of the pristine flowers and plant life that abound on the 55 acres.

The Mandolin

Last year I attended an art show at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. It was as fascinating to watch the people as it was to view the art. As I was leaving the grounds, I spotted this lady holding a mandolin. She was about 20 feet off the path just standing in the woods as if she was in deep contemplation. I shot several images before she moved on. I did this painting to capture that mood.