Waterford — Painters often set up at Harkness Memorial State Park to take inspiration from the colorful flora and vistas.

Beverly Schirmeier of Westbrook was working on a pastel painting of the East Garden on Wednesday at the park. She said she picked that garden because she knew the roses would be in bloom. 

Schirmeier is a member of the Madison Art Society, which on Wednesdays meets at different locations along the shoreline to paint en plein air. Early at the time, she was aware of only one other person that had shown up at the park so far.