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Here is a peaceful scene of Village Creek meandering through the Big Thicket in Southeast Texas. The water is serene, reflecting the bright afternoon sun. On either side of the creek, a diverse array of trees can be seen, including Willows, Oaks, and Cypress. The leaves of the trees are lush and vibrant, casting dappled shadows onto the creek below. In the foreground, a pirogue (a Cajun canoe) can be seen on the banks of the creek, waiting for kids to row along the creek while enjoying a leisurely Sunday afternoon. The overall feeling of the painting is one of tranquility and relaxation, inviting the viewer to take a moment to unwind and appreciate the beauty of nature.

I remember like it was yesterday... The little black box of PRANG watercolors I received at Christmas when I was seven started me on a lifelong love of drawing and painting. Rendering the images of every comic book character from Mickey Mouse to Superman and Little Lulu furthered my art education. Little Golden Books, "The Color Kittens," taught me the basics of mixing colors. Then a magical experience happened! At the Jefferson Theater in downtown Beaumont, Texas (where I was born and raised), I saw Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Eagerly I awaited each new release through the years: Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Lady and the Tramp. At 12, I started an art notebook and bought my first oil paints. At 14,...