This is a small watercolor I've done for my Mom for her birthday. It recalls a visit to Westminster Abbey in London. This is the gate to a small secluded garden in the middle of the church called the "Little Cloister." It is the first "real" watercolor painting I've ever done, so I realize that it is far from perfect ; ).
I need your help, though. I sense that I could do a couple more things to this before pronouncing it finished, but what do those of you with a lot more experience than I have think? I want it to retain a soft quality---to evoke a memory, not do a photographic reproduction. Also, how would you mat this? I was thinking of a white mat next to the painting (since I didn't do a great job with the edges), then a black one surrounding that--much like what I've done with the paper here to do the photo. I had thought of a red mat to echo the flowers in the center, but maybe that's too informal? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Here's my doodle today : ). I'm experimenting with pastels---I love the seemingly endless variety of textures that can be created with this one simple medium. This is a quick little study for a bigger piece I want to do on canvas in acrylic and pastel as a gift for some dear friends who have five daughters. 
