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WATERING HOLE
by Kate Donalson

Menifee is not only a suburban town, but a rich habitat that supports a diverse ecosystem. That’s the inspiration for my Art Box submission titled, “The Watering Hole.”

Each side of the electrical box features birds and animals found in our community, from coyotes and rabbits to herons and owls. Using the templates provided, I carefully mapped out each creature’s placement so no beaks or tails would be cut off and each side of the box would have a focal point.

Then I painted the final composition in gouache on paper. The final result is the colorful landscape we call home. Everywhere you look, there is natural beauty in Menifee.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My work begins with noticing. I am inspired by the everyday wonders of the natural world: a bird encountered on a walk, a favorite houseplant, wildlife along a hiking trail, or mist drifting across the nearby hills. Nature is a source of both wonder and calm, and I translate these observations into colorful, whimsical artwork intended to delight.

Working primarily in watercolor, my goal is to create work that makes viewers pause, look closer, smile, and see something familiar in a new way. I want my paintings to bring a little more wonder and joy into the spaces where they live.