David next to Margaret's painting "Paynes Pairie"

Arriving back in Gainesville we traveled down NW 34th Street and when approaching the University of Florida David says, “Lets stop and see Margaret’s painting that is in the Orthopedic Center building.” He went on to explain that he had first seen it when he delivered mail to the building. We pull into the entrance, park in a visitor’s spot and go in where David shows me Margaret’s painting of Paynes Prairie.  

Paynes Prairie, called the Alachua Savana in colonial times,  is geological feature just south of Gainesville that has played a role in the shaping of the area since the early arrival of man. The prairie contains a large sinkhole called the Alachua sink that drains the prairie and feeds the Florida aquifer.

Upon getting home David posted a number of pictures of our trip on Facebook which Margaret liked and, having met Margaret, I sent a friend request which she accepted and I started following her posts. Several months later she posted a photo of a new painting which I really liked titled Threatened Spring and so I sent her a message asking if it was available, but she replied that it had already been sold but she said she was making some prints of it and would let me know when they would be available.

Updated: 01-10-2026

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