File:Companions in the Garden .jpg

English: 'In April 1990, Candace received a query from the curator at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The question intrigued her, "Do you paint dogs? Send me pictures of your animal paintings!" Candace complied never dreaming the reason behind the request was First Lady Barbara Bush's interest in the artist's work.

"I had written to Mrs. Bush" says Lovely, "suggesting I paint her grandchildren, and sent a brochure of my works. Mrs. Bush replied that she would love to have me paint her twelve grandchildren but couldn't afford it."

The First Lady also called Lovely's paintings "superb."

Eventually and agreement was struck, however, for Lovely to paint Mrs. Bush and Millie, the First Lady's much beloved English Springer Spaniel.
In July 1991, Lovely reported to the White House to choose a setting for the portrait, take photographs, and begin sketching. She spent five days there working with her subjects for four hours, in two shifts, each day. The final study brought high praise from Mrs. Bush, who exclaimed, "Let's go show George!"

The final portrait was delivered to the White House in March 1992, with a mahogany frame, designed by the artist and hand carved by her father, it features morning glories.

Lovely, who lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina, says painting Mrs. Bush "was a joy." The artists recent works include portraits and landscapes and can be viewed this summer in galleries in Nantucket, Boston, San Francisco and Naples, Florida. - VQ Summer