Shiny things . . . like a magpie, we are all drawn to things that glitter and glisten. But what to paint, and in gouache? In watercolor, perhaps a metal spoon or bowl, complete with sunshine glinting. In gouache, though, the possible deepness of color as well as having a few metallic paints, I thought of water. Water is always shiny, at night with reflected lights, during the day as the sun and clouds pass overhead. Even when the weather is foul, water reflects and shines. Painting this was a rather sensuous experience, which is perhaps why I am enjoying gouache more and more . . . and water is certainly so on a warm summer day.