"Transformation" Maple Seed Still Life Daily Painting

Original miniature oil, 2.25"x3.25"
in gold frame.
© 2009 Diana Moses Botkin

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The maple seeds are still trying to take over my gardens. I work away at removal and marvel at their heartiness and tenacity. This one had cast off the old dried brown seedpod and shows something of its character as a living thing with those first leaves.

There are so many good spiritual lessons in the garden: First, there needs to be good soil. Water. Sun. Weeds will choke out the desirable plants. Let the weeds grow awhile and they are really difficult to remove. Seeds grow into plants and bear fruit (and make more seeds that transform into plants like themselves).

Seeds must first be watered, then they crack open (and die) to grow into a live plant. That dried up brown seedpod just blows away in the wind. The live green seedling looks nothing like that cracked brown seed. This gives me a glimpse of eternity and I believe it is no coincidence that Christ's resurrection happened in the spring. Reminders of God's great love for us are everywhere always, but they seem especially graphic at this time of year.