Natchez painter Sharon Richardson never tires of exploring the light and landscape of Elms Court.

Since 2011, Richardson has walked the ever-changing splendor of the house’s grounds, taking photographs through the seasons to capture her memories of the place.

“I get a good feeling when I visit Elms Court,” Richardson said. “The light, the subject, I feel the history and the generations of the place. I love knowing that it is this 160-acre island in the middle of the city.”

Unless the weather refuses to cooperate, Richardson tries to visit the property a couple of times a week. Because of the effects of post-polio syndrome, Richardson is unable to paint in the landscape. With a small point-and-shoot camera, Richardson doesn’t like to think she records the scene as much as she records her feelings.

“The camera doesn’t give me anything special,” Richardson said. “It reminds me of the feeling I have of the scene.”

“Light on the Landscape of Elms Court” is the title of this year’s upcoming exhibit of miniature paintings Richardson created on the grounds and gardens of the historic house inspired by the photographs she has taken on the property.

The exhibit will include 40 oil paintings Richardson painted from the fall 2014 through the summer of 2015. The artwork will be displayed and on sale at a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 12 at Elms Court at 542 John R. Junkin Drive. Marvin McDonald will play Elms Court’s baby grand piano as entertainment during the reception.

This is the fourth year that Richardson and Elms Court owner Anne MacNeil have collaborated to produce an exhibition.

Through paintings, MacNeil wanted to share with others the beauty that surrounds her there every day. Richardson accepted the challenge of choosing from many possible subjects, ranging from seasonal flowers, architecture, an inquisitive cat, white clouds floating over the big meadow to turtles sunning themselves on a pond log.

She paints the illusion of light on the landscape and enjoys experiencing the mysterious journey that is the creative process.

People often contact her through her website to share the connection they feel with her work, a communication between souls.

The two-story Greek Revival center portion of the house was constructed in 1837, with the wings and cast iron grillwork added in the 1850s. The MacNeil family considers the drive from the highway to the house an important part of the visitor’s experience and feel that the house is an integral part of its landscape. The “built” landscapes — the formal gardens, blooming bulbs scattered in the woodlands, flowering trees and shrubs throughout — seamlessly enhance the natural landscape.

Year-round, Richardson’s work is available in Jackson at Brown’s Fine Art, in New Orleans at Carol Robinson Gallery and in Birmingham at the Atchison Gallery. See Richardson’s work online at www.sharonrichardson.net

For more information about the reception, please call 601-445-5431.