Gardening can teach many life lessons, perhaps especially the arts of timing and nurturing – and today I realised that trying to grow tomatoes in less-than-ideal weather has offered me a new perspective on creativity and the artistic journey.

Imagine a garden where the tomatoes, heavy with promise, cling to the vine. The weather, however, is fickle—too much rain, too little sun. The plant, overwhelmed, struggles to bring each tomato to its full potential. But the gardener, noticing this, regularly takes the nearly-ripe fruit off and lets it ripen indoors. And this makes all the difference. Not only does the picked fruit ripen perfectly, but the plant’s energy is redirected to the remaining green tomatoes, hastening their ripening too.

And as I walked up to the studio this afternoon I realised that this little bit of horticultural wisdom mirrors the creative process beautifully. As artists, we often find ourselves in the midst of a project, feeling the weight of expectation and the struggle to reach completion. The paper or canvas, like the tomato vine, bears the load of our ambitions. In these moments, the instinct might be to persevere, to keep pushing until the work is done. However, there is profound value in knowing when to step back, to switch gears, and allow a shift in focus.

Taking a break from a nearly-finished painting to start something new can seem counterintuitive. Yet, just as the nearly-ripe tomatoes continue to develop their flavor and color on the windowsill, our creative ideas can mature and deepen when we give them space. This practice of alternating between projects allows our minds to refresh, offering new perspectives and insights. The fresh painting becomes a new opportunity to experiment, to apply lessons learned, and to explore different techniques and styles.

Moreover, this method of creative “crop rotation” prevents burnout and keeps our artistic journey vibrant and dynamic. By not fixating on a single piece or style, we allow our creativity to flow more freely. Each new project feeds off the energy and lessons of the previous ones, much like the tomato plant reinvests its resources into the remaining fruit. The result? A more robust, diverse portfolio and a more fulfilled, versatile artist.

In the same way that ripening tomatoes on a windowsill can lead to a more bountiful harvest, diversifying our artistic endeavors enriches our skills and ignites our passion. It encourages us to see our work with fresh eyes, to embrace new challenges, and to celebrate the journey as much as the destination. So, the next time you feel stuck or uninspired, remember the gardener’s touch—pluck that nearly-ripe idea, set it aside to ripen, and dive into something new. Your creativity, like the garden, will thank you for it.

Happy painting and happy gardening!

Diane