Georgia’s Flowers and Garden

Georgia O’Keeffe loved to garden.  She was to have said to people that if she hadn’t left her Abiquiu home in the summer to go out to Ghost Ranch, there would be a real danger that all she’d do all summer is work in her garden, and not create her paintings!  I find that a bit hard to believe, but her garden certainly is a testament to her love of that hobby!

Old Door

Thru this doorway lies a sort of long entryway to what I call the Inner Courtyard.  More about that later, but my point in sharing this image with you is two-fold.  The first is to explain all of Georgia’s gardening tools (whether used by her or her gardener) are along a wall thru that entryway.  The second is to point out the actual door and what it’s made of – plywood!  Many things in her home, including her kitchen and studio tables, were made from this basic building material, unfinished.

White Trumpet Flower

Here’s another view of the white trumpet flower that was an inspiration in so many of Georgia’s paintings.  These seem to grow like weeds around her home – what a welcome and delightful weed!!

Blooms in Georgia’s Garden

Here are a number of the different flowers that continue to bloom in Georgia’s garden.  Of course, now they are tended by gardeners.  I’m not certain if they are employees of The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum or volunteers, but they truly do a magnificent job!

Hollyhock Blooms

This is a collection of two different hollyhock blooms in the garden.  The image on the right has been converted to a watercolor painting, so that’s the reason for the soft focus – don’t worry, your eyes are fine!  The second image (on the left) just sort of spoke to me of a somewhat intimate portrait of her home/garden.

Georgia’s Garden

Much of the back garden is planted each year with vegetables.  Obviously, we’re at the beginning of the planting/growing season.  College students work in the garden, and then are able to take home some of the produce.  The rest is donated to those in need in Abiquiu & its surrounding communities.  I believe this is in keeping with what Georgia herself did with her garden.

Enjoy!