Life needs anchors to keep us grounded, but sails to catch the breezes that propel us forward in life. I've spent several periods of time on the Chiemsee in Bavaria. It's where I escaped to paint after my first cancer treatment. I was so struck by its beauty that I returned again seven years later to teach and paint there again. Returning didn't disappoint. Being able to share it with students and see them respond to the natural beauty as well as the pristine architecture was an extra layer of gratitude for living life to the fullest. This painting extolls the balance of life through the solidly positioned buildings amidst the graceful curves of trees which frame them. For me, the sailboat symbolizes our human spirit, traveling towards its goal. The painting has been executed with a subdued, analogous color palette. Sometimes you only need the wind to change the world.