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It was a brisk but spring-like February afternoon in Monterey, CA. and I was tagging along with my husband who was attending a workshop for educators. Near the hotel where we were staying was a wonderful pond and the habitat for many species of birds and water fowl, which I busied myself by photographing. This pair of mallards swam together all around the pond that afternoon, evoking a sense of peacefulness in me as I just focused on the two of them. In attempting the painting, it was important to me that I recreate the almost creamy appearance of the sunlight on the water, a true-to-life representation of the mallards, and their easily visible reflections. The essence of the painting is to share with the viewer the beauty of these creatures, their relationship, and a sense of the peacefulness found in nature that day.

After 32 years of teaching elementary school, I decided to retire. Just prior to my retirement, I took a few watercolor classes at Shasta College to see if all the "desire" to paint that had been waiting patiently for its turn in my busy life could materialize into something that would represent my best efforts to replicate the beauty I see in the world. I wanted to share it in such a way that people would want to "take the closer look" and further appreciate the world and creation around us. In the first two years, I produced 20 paintings and framed them all with the encouragement of my husband (who doubles as my easily available art critic). As I painted more and more, I became more adept at putting together the elements that create...