Oh golly, do I have tomatoes on the brain. For weeks now, I can't stop seeing tomato red. Literally bursting in the garden, a rouge party of Brandywine, San Marzano, Jaune Flammée, Amish Paste, and Sungold gathers on the cool countertop. The kitchen is rich with the steamy scent of garlic and tomato. Over 100lbs processed so far–fresh, frozen, canned, sun dried. Even homemade ketchup. I'm going wild in the garden, the kitchen, and in the studio, soaking in these bountiful days, putting up yum for the colder days to come, and painting the plenitude. Grateful for a distraction from the day after day monstrosities occurring near and far, maintaining physical and mental health these days is no small thing. Who knew tomatoes could be salvation? Can homemade ketchup bring enlightenment? Definitely maybe. The last few days, though, I've noted a pull to begin cooling things down with some calmer blues. We'll see what comes next. Meanwhile, I wonder–what are you doing to be well? What simple things lighten your heart? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Please take good care. And if you like tomatoes, now's the time! Click on paintings' photos to see details. My smaller Quarantine pieces are still available for a limited time. If you've been wanting one, this is your chance! See them here before it's too late.
3 Comments
Shanda
9/16/2020 08:53:45 am
Your garden and tomatoes sound divine! Our tomato plants got over 6 feet tall, but we only got about 3 ripe tomatoes, lol. We did get a ton of lemon cucumbers, a few sweet sugar pie pumpkins (Shae made a lovely pie), some tiny white baby boo pumpkins, one large pumpkin, a couple gourds and a couple peppers. Shae’s first time gardening, so maybe the tiny harvest made that more manageable. We learned a lot and she’s excited for next year! She also learned so much about the monarchs and other butterflies and pollinators while exploring our meadow this summer. An invaluable education I’m sure you as a naturalist can appreciate, and one she would not have received had she spent those final weeks of the school year inside a school building! Enjoying your Garden Love Story series. 🍅🍅🍅
Thanks Shanda! And good for Shae. Gardening is a lifelong joy. Just a thought- sometimes if the plants grow large and lush with few fruits, it can mean the soil is too rich. Not sure if she fertiliized or not, but she may want to hold back on fertilizer next year. And those green ones may still turn red!
Colleen Sullivan
9/18/2020 02:04:28 pm
Reading about your tomatoes and thinking in tomato red has made me happy indeed Michelle. Your paintings lighten my heart! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Artist and naturalist Michelle Louis has a vigorous curiosity about the natural world. Her abstract landscape paintings cultivate connection to the lands she explores. Archives
November 2021
©2021 Michelle Louis All rights reserved. Content and images are property of the artist.
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