Here, a Dogwood tree is in full bloom along the banks of Stouts Creek in Ironton, Missouri. The creek's red, clay banks and granite stones bring charm and color to its steep green bluffs. The photo I painted from was taken on a cool windy morning, then turning sunny and warm towards late afternoon. 
Art can bring small pleasures to our lives. Also, small pleasures can come in the form of flowers, or a water garden, or just anything that can enhance ones living space or life. This Woodchuck is one of those small pleasures. Our family befriended him last year when he took up temporary residence in our drainage pipe. Today I saw him and brought him an apple and some Frosted Mini Wheats. He is now eating from out of my hand. 
For me, tree stumps and trunks have become a symbol of childhood imagination. Is it possible that the woodland characters of many children's fictional books can live in hollowed out tree trunks? Does a family of mice dwell here and navigate the streams of Stouts Creek? What small adventures are we unaware of? For one of the best woodland adventures, try Brian Jacques' fictional book series, Redwall.
I painted this from a photo I took while visiting Day Spring Bible Camp in Ironton Missouri. The scene you see here is what I saw, as I walked to where the boats were docked. Immediately, the blue canoe caught my eye as it stood out from a spring foliage backdrop of greens and pinks. I wanted to take the blue canoe out onto the lake, but the water was flowing a bit too fast to be paddling back again upstream.
The Establishment Creek bridge in on Hwy 61 in Ste. Genevieve County. I painted this during Ste. Genevieve's Annual Plein Air Event. A few weeks later, I read in the local paper that there were plans to tear it down. Many of the locals share fond memories of swimming underneath the bridge in days gone by. 
