Part of our challenge as human beings is to notice the beauty amidst the noise. Life is chaotic and messy, and it can wear on your last nerve. Finding a moment of serenity where all that noise falls away is such a blessing – it almost feels like magic.

This little painting captures one of those moments when I was completely serene, curious and present… with some water lilies. No extraneous thoughts about ongoing home renovations or how I hadn’t been able to paint during the move or the summer’s record heat. It was just me and the water lilies in front of the Festival Theatre in my new hometown of Stratford, Ontario.

I wondered why some of the leaves were bursting with leopard spots while others had very few. I marveled at the funky shadows the light created on the leaves that appeared to be cozying up together. I saw the many colours present in the yellow flowers, thanks to that light and Mother Nature. I watched insects landing and taking off again, like at a busy airport.

I was lost in questions and in awe.

And usually when I get into one of these states, a painting appears not long after!

Here is the first of 2 water lilies miniature paintings from Stratford’s Festival Garden – “Water Lilies of Stratford (Yellow)”. It’s a 2.5″ x 2.5″ ink and watercolour on archival watercolour paper and is available now for any other water lily lovers out there.

Link to shop is here.