Beautiful, Isa! What this evoked was the time we visited Blenheim Palace, and looked at the 300+ year-old trees that had all been meticulously planted centuries before by another “artist of nature”. It occurred to me that one of the most important elements in a gardener’s
palette is Time. Whether the “final “art piece is a season away or a century away, the gardener’s imagination has to encompass it in the present. And then start planting the seeds.
Your writing always leaves me breathless, and I find myself reading aloud to my husband — wanting to share the beauty of your words. He gardens, and I admire with awe. (Also: so lovely to see that photo of you with Robbie. I’d know you both anywhere!!)
A huge yes to all our this. Those of us with our hands in the dirt and our hearts in natural systems know gardening making is art making. I’m so glad you found Jennifer’s podcast. She’s a true gardener of heart and soil in every sense.
This hits on so many things for me. As an oil painter, the moment my mom got sick, I stopped painting. It’s just not inside me now since she’s gone. And the loss, as you talk about Bailey, this feeling of being untethered to life to the earth. I’ve never been a gardner, but maybe that is something my broken heart can do. Thanks for this. You are putting into words much of my grief journey and I’m grateful.
I've always felt the Mojo Gardens were a work of art, but when the photos are accompanied by your beautiful prose and gorgeous paintings, I feel exhilarated and lifted out of both the city where I live and the anger and confusion of the everyday now in our challenging world. This post is a trip unto itself. Nature and art and an inspirational essay--what a trifecta!
Beautiful, Isa! What this evoked was the time we visited Blenheim Palace, and looked at the 300+ year-old trees that had all been meticulously planted centuries before by another “artist of nature”. It occurred to me that one of the most important elements in a gardener’s
palette is Time. Whether the “final “art piece is a season away or a century away, the gardener’s imagination has to encompass it in the present. And then start planting the seeds.
Your writing always leaves me breathless, and I find myself reading aloud to my husband — wanting to share the beauty of your words. He gardens, and I admire with awe. (Also: so lovely to see that photo of you with Robbie. I’d know you both anywhere!!)
A huge yes to all our this. Those of us with our hands in the dirt and our hearts in natural systems know gardening making is art making. I’m so glad you found Jennifer’s podcast. She’s a true gardener of heart and soil in every sense.
Brilliant!
Joe gardener is a great podcast as well
Dearest Isa, the fruits of your labor of love show up as exquisite pieces of art in every form you place your hands on. You are magical.
I adore you. Alex
Love this post Isa. And it’s perfect inspiration for Stellar to get outside and tend to her nascent spring garden!
Thank you Isa for this reminder - that there are so many interesting rabbit holes to explore that don’t involve news headlines!
This hits on so many things for me. As an oil painter, the moment my mom got sick, I stopped painting. It’s just not inside me now since she’s gone. And the loss, as you talk about Bailey, this feeling of being untethered to life to the earth. I’ve never been a gardner, but maybe that is something my broken heart can do. Thanks for this. You are putting into words much of my grief journey and I’m grateful.
Dear Dawn, I’m so sorry for your tender heart. Gardens are grounding and redemptive. And you get flowers & berries.
I've always felt the Mojo Gardens were a work of art, but when the photos are accompanied by your beautiful prose and gorgeous paintings, I feel exhilarated and lifted out of both the city where I live and the anger and confusion of the everyday now in our challenging world. This post is a trip unto itself. Nature and art and an inspirational essay--what a trifecta!
Lovely comments….. makes me want to go to the garden instead I will play golf and let Susan tend the garden.
Your garden painting - Just GORGEOUS!