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Back to the Garden
(click above for full size picture)
One
of the most compelling aspects of Guatemala is its natural beauty.
Where I grew up in Connecticut, growing flowers was a luxury only enjoyed
seasonally. During the spring and summer we all worked outside
beautifying the beds in the yard. My mother, on the other hand, had
been to Mexico during her college years so she had an intense affinity for
flowers, especially exotic ones. She built a room in our house that
was called “The Sun Room” and in it were all her exotic plants, the stereo,
a couch, and all the paintings she had bought from Latin American artists.
The walls were all glass, so even in the winter it was warm, alive and
giving. We all had chores every Saturday and one of mine was caring
for the plants. Between the flowers and the music, I spent quite a
large part of my early years in that room.
When
I arrived in Antigua, I was floored and astounded by the flowers… most of
which I had never seen before. Between the colors and the forms, I
fell in love. Once I decided to stay I began to learn everything I
could about cultivation; from organic gardening to the hybridization of
ornamentals. I have a fondness for roses that exceeds all normal
reason and learned how to grow and cultivate the most odiferous and
brilliant species. I specialize in the growing of purple roses due to
their perfume, which is inebriating… but here and there I fancy some other
color… some other fragrance.
I
found a rose here whose name is “Just Joey” and began growing it. Its
color is stunning. Its odor is like that of butterscotch and honey and
its blooms are enormous. So I decided to paint it. It took
forever because of its subtle coloring, but it was worth it. This is
the painting… and I called it “Renaissance” as it felt like I imagine that
rebirth would feel. This painting never got hung on a gallery wall.
It was bought the day I handed it to the gallery and now hangs in a French
couple’s bedroom.
I imagine it
inspires their love life! Enjoy it!! |
