Claude Monet painted over 250 paintings of his garden and its water lilies. He was curious about its differing cycles, the changing light and reflections, and subsequently the many personalities the garden would assume – and how it made him feel. In these paintings, he wanted to capture it all.

I get it. I was so appreciative of the immediate calm and the sense of curiosity that enveloped me as I walked into the little garden in front of Stratford’s Festival Theatre last summer. I remember my irritability melting away, while exploring the rows of plants. Then before exiting the garden, I came upon the water lily ponds and I broke into a smile. The cheery blossoms, the unique patterns of the leaves, the light dancing on the water, the dragonflies coming and going – and all thriving in a watery plot.

It is said that just a few minutes in nature can bring on feelings of wellbeing. Definitely worked for me. And thankfully I can extend those feelings by taking a photo and then painting from that photo days later. The same sense of calm and curiosity arrives as I start to draw and paint.

This is the second water lily painting from that garden – one with pink blossoms and some burgundy leaves sprinkled among the green ones.

I hope it brings you a bit of calm, too.

Both works are available now here.