I've painted Marie in this magical garden in Burgundy before. One would think that painting the same subject again would be a breeze. But it isn't. As artists dig deeper into their soul, it becomes increasingly difficult to be content with the result.

In this case it was my desire to mix the exuberance of a beautiful garden path with the mystery of a person's private thoughts that pushed me to edit and adjust my original brushstrokes. The composition of the garden head on with its arbor framing the person from the back was spot on. Achieving subtlety and balance of all this visual delight took time. Wrapped snuggly in her shawl, our subject is not only protecting her body, but also her spirit. Her gaze is left to our imagination, but as she looks down at the flower bed, she is also looking inward, tending her own thoughts. The uneven  twist of her body leads us to anticipate her next step. 

In order to focus attention on our human condition, it was essential to keep minimize floral details. It's your invitation to walk the Garden Path, as well.