One blustery Thursday, I grabbed my sketchbook, several pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener and headed out to find pretty winter landscapes. I didn't get out of my car to sketch (because it was super cold), but this lovely field, with Seneca Lake in the background, greeted me as I crested a hill.

I sketched, took photos, and moved along. Once home, I reviewed my photos, compared them with the sketches, and knew I wanted to spend more time with this landscape. The little hints of civilization—like the fire hydrant—remind the viewer that Mother Nature owns this land, but people have something to contribute, too.

Original watercolor on paper, 8 × 10 inches.