I grew up around water and I enjoyed it throughout my life. I would fish, catch tadpoles and frogs, at the local pond in West Hartford. There was a pool there and you paid ten cents an hour to use it. To get to the pool, there was a shortcut across Trout Brook. To get across you had to use stepping stones. I would spend my summers in Ocean City, Maryland, swimming and body surfing nearly every day. As time went by I had a motor boat and then a kayak. I would take the kayak out into the ocean on the south shore of Long Island and ride the waves in to shore. I love the water and this has been a big influence on my life and my art. Ponds are fun, they are teaming with all sorts of life. Late in the afternoon and early evening, just before sundown is my favorite time. The sun is not as hot and everything is filled with long shadows and this delicious red, orange afterglow. This painting tries to capture that magical time.