This painting was quite a challenge. It is watercolor on mineral paper. The surface of the paper is very slick, so it takes some practice to balance detail and broad areas of color.
Although this was done from a photograph, it was nice to think back to what a beautiful area it is. It is open for visitors, so maybe I can go sometime soon. There are acres of formal gardens and I don't think I've seen all of them.
Hillwood Estate, the mansion, was bought by Marjorie Merriweather Post (daughter of Post cereals founder) in 1955 and she used her money to make it a museum. The collections are amazing. I particularly remember real Faberge eggs. She died in 1973 and it is now operated by the Post Foundation.
