Yellow Field Roses - HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Lin Frye

Yellow Field Roses - HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!, a photo by linfrye on Flickr.

10" x 13"
Arches 140#CP

To all the mothers - the aunts, sisters, grandmothers, nonnas, daughters and those whose role is that of 'mother' - a most joyous and wonderful 'HAPPY MOTHERS DAY'!

The celebration of mom, for me, always brings me to flowers. My mom and dad had a small garden, barely more than foundational plantings. But of those, dad planted roses and lilacs - my mother's favorites. These field roses, painted to celebrate the beauty of less cultivated plants, are dedicated to my mom -- for her beauty, tenacity, strength and love. And more, for that bit of 'non-domesticated' wildness that enchants, surprises and manages to thrive in all manner of conditions - a celebration if you will, of the unpampered that is in all of us.

I came late to gardening, learning first to appreciate the wild species of things - enjoying the surprise of flowers and plants that grow without human intervention. The plants that make the roadsides, ditches, woodlands and fields a riot of color, fragrance and unquestionable beauty. I love too, how 'nature' provides 'wild' edibles without cultivation as well as provides the progeny of many of our domesticated food plants. I love how she provides such bounty of utilitarian plants for medicines, music, vessels, clothing and almost every other human need. Such effusive variety and abundance is motherlike in its selfless giving.

This weekend, we recognize, appreciate and celebrate - all our moms - including the mother of all of us - Our Good Earth.

May we remember to honor all our Moms!

Lin Frye
North Carolina