i bought this rubber tree plant at a trader joes on a scorching day in new jersey. unexpected, but i had given my long time rubber tree plant to my mother when i moved to new york, and my heart longed for another one. something about this tree feels like freedom, and growth. when i brought it home it almost died, i don’t think that grocery store plants have high chances of success, but i didn’t give up on it. i nurtured it, tended to it, spoke sweet words to it and eventually new growth began to show up. slowly at first, but then all at once. suddenly there were multiple new leaves a month, and it was thriving.

there are no more dead leaves, it’s outgrown it’s suffering, and i along with it. i love this plant and it’s tenacity, and i decided that it should be the first try at a a still life painting with a new palette. this painting and plant are reminders that you can always start over, no matter how hard it feels.

6×12 inches.
oil and acrylic base on wood panel.
sealed with gloss varnish.
signature on back.