4 days in the heat, dealing with tiny mosquitoes called 'no see 'ums', exhaustd, dirty - that's what we have experienced at the Au 'Coeur Academy at Middleton Place in Charleston, SC. Striving to learn new painting techniques, new colors choices, and learning to paing outside has not exactly been a fun time but lots and lots of hard work. And the result is an almost finished paiting which may be completed in my studio or maybe will be the basis for a much larger painting. Middleton Place is 65 acres of gorgeous rolling hills loaded with manicured flowers for all seasons. Azaleas were not quite in full bloom but a lot were at the height of their color, It was a great place to enjoy peace and beautfy plus plenty of hiking. We walked 1 mile each way to get to our painting site daily. Our view for the 3rd and 4th day were azaleas with reflections in the water. Here is my painting - I can see thingsI need to change but the values are there and it's a fun painting - makes me smile! Hope it makes you smile too/11