‘Young Strong Tree’ was planted just a few years ago and I had been following it’s growth and admiring it’s strength. It now has a powerful presence in the park. Typically I miss the spring blossoms because of the cold but the ‘Chrysanthemum Bush’ was late and generous with its posing! And ‘Bush Near the Bridge’ I have painted several times because I am so taken with it’s underbrush light and shade. When I paint plein air I am very conscious of the surface because I want it to look as fresh as it actually is.