Springtime in the piney woods provides a sense of peace and wonder like no other. Drawing the eye to the beauty and simplicity of the abundant white blossoms amid a sea of green, the painting brings to mind the old and beautiful tale of the dogwood tree. As legend has it, the cross on which Jesus was crucified was constructed from the wood of a dogwood tree. God decreed that the dogwood tree would from that day forth never grow large enough to be used to make a cross. Thus, the dogwood tree is a small tree with a flower that has four petals that make the shape of a cross. The center of the flower resembles the crown of thorns with bright red, clustered fruit, representing the blood of Christ.

Helen Douglas began drawing as a child, but waited until her forties to begin painting in oils. At the age of 60 she returned to college and began working in all mediums. She received numerous awards and has art work in private collections throughout the world. Douglas enjoys painting her native East Texas landscapes and florals and is recognized for her works of the piney woods in particular. Today she resides in a retirement community in Lufkin and is currently expressing her creativity through the art of quilting.