“The Gifts” has a story. I garden a lot. My garden gave me the flowers and oranges in this painting. Gardening itself is a gift.  About 5 years ago, a little neighborhood girl, Avery, came by and showed interest in the garden. She returned again with a friend, Lily, and again with other friends and family. Avery and Lily started a garden club. I became known as “The Garden Lady” and I LOVE that name. No matter when these “Garden Kids” came by (or come by), I would drop everything to play in the garden with them.  So full of life and exploration, so good to each other they were.  I had the opportunity time and time again to see these children brief the new children on what there is to do in the garden.  They transplanted seedlings, turned the compost, fed the birds, painted signs, watered gently and help decide what to plant next.  To this day they garden here and bring someone new. What gifts!

This past Mother’s Day, Avery surprised me with a gorgeous painting she painted for me. I cried with joy. Now look behind the glass and roses to see the colorful painting.  It was the perfect sparkle I wanted to make my painting sing. So you may see why I titled this painting “The Gifts”.

Third Place winner of the January 2020 DPW Monthly Contest!