The Little Gardener

Piece description from the artist

A friend's grandchild served as the artist's model for this painting, but so many viewers see themselves or their children in this painting. It captures the exuberance of a small child in wanting to help care for a garden and experience the joy offered by simple flowers. The background is intended to border on surrealism, with the darkness beyond the fence symbolizing the world from which we try to protect our children, keeping them safe within our "fences" of love.