"This painting painted outdoors at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver marks a significant moment in my early en plein air journey. Initially, the thought of an audience made me a little nervous, so I sought out a hard to reach spot, hoping to paint undisturbed. To my surprise, a curious young family soon found their way to my perch. What started as an unexpected encounter transformed into a delightful exchange. I was touched watching the parents encourage their children to climb about, and soon, the kids settled in nearby, sharing stories with me as I painted.

This memorable experience not only resulted in one of my favourite plein air pieces to date but also taught me to embrace the heartwarming encounters that come with painting outdoors."