Lily Pads

I use photos as references for my paintings. I was going through a box of photos and found these lilies just waiting. I couldn't resist the strong light & shadows, my favorite, and I really wanted to see if I could capture the lily pads floating as well as the stems under the water. I am happy with this one.

This is Bessie. She is my sister & her husband's fur child. She is particularly attached to my brother in law to the point that she actually mopes in the corner when he leaves until he comes back. This painting is to be a birthday gift for him. His birthday was in August - as usual, I am always late.