Summer Crowd II - (Woods Hill Table, West Concord, MA) - Acrylic on textured canvas - 36 x 72 x 1.375 inches - $3500

Reference photo location: garden box at Woods Hill Table restaurant, West Concord.

This is a second version of Summer Crowd, which was created in 2024 for my Flora(l) Portals show and is now with a dear friend in California, along with the original of Wisteria by Library. These were favorites of mine, and it didn’t feel right to put up a show without them. Creating new versions was tricky and these aren’t full copies, but I love them.

The colors are very different from the reference photo, but the legginess of the stems and the variety of stages of flowers were all there and I found it so rich. Each flower feels like a unique character, and for some reason it makes me think of Primavera by Botticelli. I think the height of the flowers reminds me of the tall figures of the women against the backdrop of trees and sky.

As I worked on this painting, I forgot the original location and started thinking of the background as woods and sky, but later remembered that it was a window reflecting sky and other things.

Ian Henry from Woods Hill Table said:

“Our gardener, Bob, and his mother do a wonderful job planting these boxes. We focus on growing items that our chefs can use as garnishes and ingredients in their dishes. When the nasturtiums flower, we also utilize them in our cocktail program.

The plant is incredibly versatile and often underestimated. Beyond providing a bright, peppery flavor, nasturtiums are packed with Vitamin C and provide immune support. Historically, they are also said to symbolize victory and strength.

We are happy to have our garden featured in your show.”