The Dancing Bear Garden

Medium: Acrylic on canvas panel
Size: 9X12 inches
Location: Waxahachie Texas 
Year: 2024

This original painting captures a quiet moment of observation centered on a house and its surrounding garden, with a small and unexpected detail—a dancing bear topiary—adding a sense of character and discovery.

Painted with attention to light, color, and structure, the piece focuses on the interplay between the bright white facade, green shutters, and the natural elements framing the scene. The dancing bear, tucked into the garden, offers a subtle focal point—something easily missed at first glance, then difficult to forget.

This work was created while competing in the Paint Historic Waxahachie plein air competition, where the scene was painted on location in direct response to the conditions of the day. Working outdoors allowed the shifting light and atmosphere to guide the process, resulting in a piece that reflects both place and moment.

Rather than presenting a detailed architectural study, the painting emphasizes the feeling of the space—the rhythm of the house, the presence of the garden, and the small details that give it life.