Water Lilies at VanDusen

Created on location at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden, Water Lilies at VanDusen observes a quiet corner of the pond where clusters of lilies drift across dark reflective water. Soft light moves gently through the surface, while surrounding foliage dissolves into layered greens and earthy tones. The composition feels intimate and contemplative, drawing attention toward subtle movement rather than dramatic scenery.

The painting is shaped through interwoven brushstrokes that shift between softness and structure. The lilies are built with rounded, circular gestures that echo across the pond, creating a quiet visual rhythm throughout the surface. In contrast, the darker water is painted with smoother horizontal movement, allowing reflections and depth to emerge gradually beneath the floating forms.

Colour remains restrained yet luminous, balancing cool blues, muted greens, and touches of pale pink within the lilies. Rather than emphasizing spectacle, the work focuses on atmosphere and observation — the sensation of standing quietly beside still water while light slowly changes across the pond. The layered paint surface preserves the immediacy of plein air painting, allowing the scene to retain both freshness and calm.