Behind the Linwood General Store is a parking lot for buggies. I often spend time just chatting to the Mennonites who have "come to town" to shop. For someone from one of the neighbouring farms, a twenty minute drive to town is relaxing and counted as time off. Simple life, simple pleasures!

I was fortunate to have received several Mennonite quilting photos from a former employee who lived in the country. Using those shots along with a few that I had and the posed models of the girl and her great aunt on the extreme right of the painting, I created this interior scene. As a man it is very difficult to get permission to photograph inside a Mennonite home.

Using the general store in Wallenstein, I created a setting in the fabric section that worked with the story. The photos of the mother and of Naomi supplied by the author made my task much easier. Although the author had another store in mind as the setting, I felt that this space worked better.

See also Reading by the Window, Image # 1765.

Both these paintings result directly from observation while visiting Old Order Mennonite homes.

See also Late Garden Produce Image # 0549.