My second 4×4-inch painting is complete. Lately, I’ve been painting with extra intention as I prepare for the opening of The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon, where I’ve secured my very first vendor booth. Watching this new chapter take shape feels both exhilarating and deeply affirming.

For this piece, I returned to my ladybug series for inspiration, creating a smaller version of a familiar and beloved scene. There’s something about this composition that feels especially serene to me. The greens are calming, the flowers inviting, and the still water carries a quiet sense of safety.

I was genuinely delighted with how this version came together. I included the mystical floating bubbles once again. Their soft presence adds another layer of calm and wonder. Where are they coming from? Where are they drifting to? What do bubbles have to do with ladybugs? Absolutely nothing — except that they are two of my favorite things to paint. Sometimes that is reason enough.

This piece also became a thoughtful study in reflection. Painting reflections can be deceptively challenging. You aren’t just painting a flower — you’re painting a flower transformed by water, softened and turned upside down. I’ve found that physically turning my canvas upside down helps me see the reflection more clearly and paint it more convincingly.

This little work is the second in a growing collection of locally inspired pieces I plan to display at The Maker’s Mall in the coming months. In Veneta, the appearance of ladybugs feels like a gentle announcement of spring — a promise that summer is just around the corner.

I used a 4 by 4 inch stretched canvas, and Golden Heavy Body acrylic paint for this piece. ‘Ladybug Oasis’ an original acrylic painting by DVD © 2026.

Price: For Sale at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta OR