I have heard that being in the presence of water has a calming effect and can actually reduce stress and bring pleasure. I have been drawn to water since I spent time at my grandparent’s cottage as a girl, and now, as an artist, I am drawn to painting scenes of rivers, lakes, and streams. I found these lovely lotus plants in the Asian Collection of the Denver Botanic Gardens and set out to capture the tranquility of this incredible spot. I was captivated by the pattern of the overlapping leaves, the countless shades of green, and the abstract shapes made by their reflections in the water.