I first met Digree in April of 2018, within the studio of the renowned artist Salvatore Del Deo, located in the beautiful town of Provincetown. She had graciously agreed to come for a portrait sitting, and we were all pleasantly surprised when she arrived wearing her stunning authentic Nepalese Wedding Dress, complete with intricate jewelry and all the exquisite details. What could be more authentic for this remarkable Nepalese farmer, who seems effortlessly one with the Sun and beautifully in sync with the Earth, than to present herself with such love and cultural pride? Digree was an ideal artist’s model; she sat so still and elegantly, resembling a beautiful flower perfectly placed in a vase. During break times from the posing, she smiled radiantly, her joy evident as she delighted in the diverse interpretations we painters were creating around her. For me, it has always been true that the subject leads the creative process, whether I like it or not. When you embark on the experience of painting a human sitter, you truly come to appreciate the intensity of their existence. When I am confronted with this palpable intensity, I find myself wanting to honor it fully. Digree took the time and effort to wear her lovely wedding outfit for our session, and thus it deserved to be captured as beautifully as I could possibly manage. Her hands, strong and capable, needed to be portrayed as working hands, emblematic of a dedicated organic farmer tending to her vegetables and flowers. Her face was illuminated, filled with the warm glow of light, so when I created the garden background inspired by my own flowers, I carefully used some of the same vibrant colors of the sunflowers in her skin tones to help encapsulate her radiant essence. She emanated such warmth, humility, generosity, and a profound appreciation for a life that has been granted to her, allowing her to engage in the work she loves dearly. Not only does she contribute significantly to her community through operating a farm stand, but she also actively participates in multiple farmer’s markets throughout the bustling growing season. What serendipitous good fortune it was for all of us that her remarkable journey led her all the way from Nepal to take root in our community, much like a precious seed carried gently on a purposeful wind, destined to blossom and thrive.