Painting Sun-Kissed Tomatoes: Exploring a Garden of Growth and Persistence
There’s a quiet kind of joy in seeing something familiar with new eyes. Sun-Kissed Tomatoes may look like just a study of ripe fruit on the vine, but for me, it holds something deeper: a memory of where I started, and a celebration of how far I’ve come. This piece is a recreation of one of the first paintings I ever made when I officially started teaching myself art.
Even before I began formally studying art, I was always creating. I made silhouette paintings for myself and friends, and created a mountain mural on my kiddo’s nursery wall. But it never felt like enough. I wanted more—I just didn’t know how to begin.
One day, in early 2022, I found myself digging through childhood memories, trying to reconnect with joy. That’s when I remembered watching two friends in school who were amazing at drawing. I remember being in awe of their talent. I couldn’t believe what they could do with just a pencil and paper. It seemed like magic! I know now that what they had wasn’t magic. It was time. Practice. Patience. What felt like “talent” was just years of quiet dedication.
It was shortly after unearthing those memories that I decided to take the leap, follow my childhood desires, and see if I could learn to draw. It’s when my dedication to my art practice really began. I bought my first sketchbook and started exploring. I watched countless YouTube tutorials and tackled lessons on a site called Draw-a-Box—known for its infamous 250 box challenge (which I did, by the way!) I submitted my drawings for feedback, practiced perspective, and worked through every frustrating mistake with sheer determination.
Around that time I also experimented with watercolor paints, which is when this old tomato painting came to life:
Original attempt at tomatoes from 2022
That original tomato painting still makes me laugh a little. The shapes were off, the leaves looked like the ones we all drew in elementary school—the kind stored in memory, not observed in nature. But even then, it was filled with curiosity, and wonder. At the time I didn’t know much about lighting and form yet, but I knew I wanted to capture something alive and warm.
In 2023, I took a huge leap and joined the Milan Art Institute’s Mastery Program—a small, intensive atelier experience that changed everything for me. The guidance, practice, and structure helped me grow not only in skill but in confidence.
And this new version of Sun-Kissed Tomatoes is a perfect reflection of that growth.
In Sun-Kissed Tomatoes, I wanted to capture the quiet intimacy of being among the plants, the richness of late summer, and the beauty of what we often overlook. It’s an invitation to pause, to notice, and to remember the deep joy that comes from growing, gathering, and connecting with the earth.
Revisiting old pieces like this one breathes life into my art practice. It reminds me how far persistence can take us. That progress is slow, beautiful, and entirely possible. And that it’s never too late to begin. These days, one of my favorite artist quotes comes from Bob Ross: “Talent is just a pursued interest. Anything you’re willing to practice, you can do”.
It couldn’t be more true. This painting is proof of that! I share this not just for fellow artists, but for anyone who’s ever told themselves they couldn’t do something because they “weren’t naturally good at it.” Whether it’s painting, gardening, playing an instrument, or speaking a new language—if it brings you joy, it’s worth pursuing. Talent is something we grow into, not something we start with.
So whether you’re an artist, a collector, or simply someone with a quiet dream tucked away—I hope this painting encourages you to take the first step. To show up, even when it’s messy. To savor the process. To grow something of your own.
With Warmth,
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Let’s grow something beautiful together.