Friday, May 17, 2013

The Joys of Gardening and Teaching

Lily-blooming tulip, Ballerina
This spring, I am once again enjoying my tiny postage stamp garden. I was especially enthralled with a few tulips I grew, and the way they changed over their bloom time.

The first is a lily-blooming tulip, Ballerina.  When it was new, on cool days, it had gorgeous tones of purple that picked up on the grape hyacinth behind it. As it matured, it mellowed into a pumpkin-y orange, and it's pointed petals looked nice with my lacy japanese maple.

Lily-blooming Ballerina tulips against a dwarf japanese maple.

The second is un-named. I don't remember buying or planting it. However, I was thrilled to watch it change, from a pale lemony yellow in the early days to a stunning sunrise array as it matured.

unnamed tulip with ajuga and euphorbia
the same tulip as it matured






Children's Book Illustration 2 students, 2013- Corey, Jeff, Claire, Sarita, Rebecca, Bob and Chie.

     Watching these flowers grow and change reminded me of teaching. I feel the same thrill when I watch my Children's book Illustration students at RISD-ce. Their hard work is beautiful at every stage, and it's so satisfying to see their art grow and mature.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks Cheryl! The class has been fun and I've learned a lot :)

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  2. beautiful garden. ove your comparison to your students.

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  3. And by ove I mean love. What surprise to see Claire. Second time this week! Claire takes 2 dimensional design next door to my class Thursday nights! Busy lady.

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  4. Love your garden, love the class, love the metaphor!! Just call me--
    Late Bloomer!
    Rebecca

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