This painting began with the image of a pretty veranda overlooking some trees.

Over time it evolved into something remarkably different.

After the initial charcoal drawing and first layer of pastel, I had the nagging feeling that this was not the scene I wanted to paint at all.  It was a feeling that would not go away.

Would I put the painting aside until some time in the future or would I make changes to the original scene?

Before long I had painted myself in, followed by my two dogs. And at varying intervals I made changes to the veranda itself (removing the side of the house) and bit by bit I opened up the background for a full sea view,

I soon became aware that this was a scene I needed to paint. A scene that symbolizes both what I have lost and what I hope to find again in the future.