"Seeds We Plant" About the Art (Part Two)
- Emma Martin
- May 17
- 2 min read
"Seeds We Sow"
This series of six paintings shows six different seeds, each representative of a moment, a memory, or a lesson. Each piece is acrylic paint, collaged paper, and oil pastel on a 5x7" wood board. Each individual composition tells a story, but together they weave a narrative of formative milestones throughout my life -- seeds that have been planted within me that have helped me grow into the artist and woman I am today.
During car rides with my GG (my grandmother on my mom's side), we would drive by a series of houses in Charlotte, NC that had these beautiful wisteria flowers growing on their brick walls. Without fail, my GG would always point out the blossoming vines, saying, "Emma look, do you see the purple flowers there? That is wisteria. Isn't it lovely?"
My siblings and I grew up with a massive pecan tree in our backyard. A tire swing hung from one of its reaching branches, and we would spend hours under its shade, swinging, hiding, and collecting the green and brown seeds that fell to the ground below. We would pretend they were objects of treasure, trade them amongst ourselves, or just see how far we could throw them. They became conduits for afternoons of make-believe, our own currency of laughter and jokes, and a means of friendly competition.
In a sermon a few weeks ago, the pastor at church used the metaphor of the oak tree to describe the interconnectedness of the church community. This metaphor resonated with me because Oak trees spread their roots deep into the soil and their root systems connect and depend on each other. I think the strength of oak trees is incredibly inspiring, especially given that all that network of strength started with a small seed.
North Carolina holds such a special place in my heart. Growing up in Charlotte and going to school in Winston Salem, the magnolia trees always seemed magical when they bloomed. Friends and I would climb them in middle school, and college friends would study under their shade. The smell of the magnolia blooms always brings me home.
"He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" (Matthew 17:20)
My GG had a cherry tree in her yard and I have such fond memories of eating cherries at her kitchen counter with her.
Overall, this series of work in the "Seeds We Plant" collection honors the moments, memories, and lessons that have influenced me, while also aiming to evoke nostalgic memories and emotions in others.
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