I first went to New Zealand in September 1994 and traveled around the south island quite extensively. It is really the time when I stopped telling myself I wanted to be an artist, and became an artist. I did a lot of sketches during that time, most of which I finished. This one was one I gave up on and stored it away, in fact, I forgot I even had it. I was at a garden in Christchurch enjoying the warm sunny day and drawing on site. The beautiful red and orange poppies were so vibrant against the blue sky. But this particular sketch was way too dark and moody and not at all what I was experiencing so I stopped working on it I like it more all these years later, but will leave it as it is.