My friend Kim and I explored Cheekwood Gardens on Friday and collected reference photos to use in painting our submissions to the upcoming exhibit at the Mansion of selected works by Chestnut Group members.

Ideally we would have painted on site, but neither of us had time to pack gear and spend the day painting en plein air. Hiking the grounds and trails and snapping photos was the next best thing, and what a lovely day! Although the temps were near 90*, the humidity was practically non-existent. 

After months of self-isolating, social-distancing, and every fun and worthy event cancelled, a Morning among the gardens at Cheekwood were just what this creative soul needed for inspiration and rejuvenation.

Here is the highlight reel from our morning's adventure...

And the photos are stunning! Such a beautiful location just west of Nashville, Tennessee, every vantage point looked like a postcard. It was impossible to snap a bad photo.