I walked the nature trails one steamy summer day at the South Carolina Botanical Garden. It is a naturalistic botanical garden and much of my walk was wooded. I spent time sketching the animal and plant life and photographing the sunlight’s effects on the foliage. At the end of the walk is an impressive visitors’ center with lovely landscaping that included these bright yellow flowers. The bees were enjoying them as much as I was, but at the time, I had no intention of putting bees in a painting. After returning home and reviewing my sketches and photographs, I found the bee made the scene more attractive. Viewing the flowers and bee brings me back to that joyous sunny summer afternoon.
