Picture Perfect Gardens

I’ve been working on a new design for print testing. The star is my hens and chicks plant, shot outside earlier this month, before the snow started again. It’s been blanketed with the white stuff several times since then. Gardens are a passion of mine. They are the inspiration for my artwork. Related Images:
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I was thinking about St. Patrick’s Day and the poem “Sea Fever” popped into my head: “I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” John Masefield was actually an English poet, born in 1878, attended King’s School and later trained as a merchant seaman. He deserted his ship in New York and worked in a carpet factory, returning home to write poetry about the sea. He was appointed British poet laureate in 1930. Related Images:
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Life is Beautiful

It’s blowing and snowing like crazy outside. Beautiful to see. Do you love it? Part of it is knowing we’re winding down to Spring in style. Working for oneself does have an upside. You don’t drive out in a storm. And usually you can work from home when the weather is bad. Related Images:
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Lent is Living Slow, Like Gardening

Gardening has taught me something about life. Try as you might, you simply can’t rush the change of seasons. How many times do you find yourself hustling through every little thing because there’s always more stuff to do back of it? Lent is a time I try to do better at living slow and appreciating what’s here- in the moment. Related Images:
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Art Inspired By Nature

The natural world is so much greater than a single person. And yet, nature still requires a person to appreciate and create with it. Unfortunately, the intersection of nature and art in life can sometimes be perceived as a playground for the wealthy.  (Gardeners, know that this is simply not true). Related Images:
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First Flower of Spring

Hens and Chicks (aka Houseleeks) eventually grow flower stalks that culminate in real flowers. This lovely image is truly not a first flower. But it could be- I haven’t seen this much color outside in months! Yesterday, after the rain, I spied the plant hugging the frozen ground for dear life even as it turned up its face to sun- is it Spring yet??? Related Images:
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Living in Color Balance

As an artist I’m forever driven by a desire to achieve balance in all creative efforts- whether decorative pillow,  living room, or garden. In researching formal garden design I discovered that much consideration was first given to a garden layout based on points of access and egress. The colors one chooses to plant are realized later overtime as you live through the seasons. I struggled with where to start! Related Images:
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Be Kind to Your House Plants

It’s time. With holiday decorations put away, it’s time for all good house plants to get attention. Long suffering through summer when the outdoor plants rule, our house plants have settled in for winter and are showing the affects of dry air and root constriction. The patient Robusta Snake Plant (probably the oldest plant we own) has been suffering quietly in a short ceramic pot that just doesn’t have enough depth for root growth. I FINALLY got her into a larger pot, lightly tied up for now until she can stabilize. I’m pretty sure I’ve been over watering too. Snake
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