Why an Orange?

Sliced oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes.

Just what does the orange mean, you ask?

Wait. I thought it was a lemon. Or maybe a grapefruit. Can it be a grapefruit? 

Regardless of whichever citrus strikes your fancy, we have to start with the love of the color. If you’ll remember I studied art history and have dabbled in making--whether it is silk screening or stained glass, color has always been a focal point of mine. 

Orange is warm and happy and brings joy to me. Perhaps it is that simple. Or maybe all these years layered an appreciation of this fruit that is always around during the holidays and winter. 

In high school, I convinced my mother to allow me to paint my room yellow with splattered orange everywhere. My interpretation of a Jackson Pollack. 

Or perhaps it has to do with a nostalgic appreciation for the genre momento mori and drying bowls of fruit and wilting flowers painted with the depth only found in oil and canvas. 

Stepping away from art my middle name is Clement, named for my mother’s maiden name and often giving rise to the awful nickname Clementine. 

In looking at the role of citrus and vitamin C in our health oranges strengthen our immune systems and are warded off scurvy. They travel well and belong in baking, cocktails and at half times during youth sporting games. The pith is a great metaphor for describing our fascia surrounding our muscles. The list could go on.

I guess it boils down to citrus being clean, simple, and a great leaping point to inspire health. So it stuck.