Celebrating Successful Collaborations |
|
Well, the way I see it there are two good options these days. Stay in bed and pull the covers over your head because it's all too daunting, or jump up and get busy.
Following a brief contemplation, it's easy for me to recognize that the first choice is not an entirely viable alternative. Better to get up and get going. Projects await. Stay in the game and keep your connections alive. Team up and work together to accomplish something positive. For me, that is often a work-related project, (garden or art), a speedy walk, kayaking with a friend, or just having a lively conversation.
If the last year and a half has taught some of us something, it's that our efforts don't have to be all about work, try to search for balance. It's equally important to reach out and stay in touch. Shared times, collaborations of all kinds, on any and every level are the power that provides the fuel to keep us going, they keep us optimistic and moving ahead during these challenging times.
Work, fun, time in nature, reflection and quiet. It all matters.
Please be reminded to stay in touch.
|
|
 |
My 8'x8' Aluminum 'Grape Screen' has been installed! |
|
|
|
As summer draws to a close, there's reason to celebrate the installation of a brand new 2-dimensional sculpture.
This piece consists of 3 sections, each measures 8 feet in height x 34 inches wide, so when framed and installed, it measures 8'x8'. The fence-like panel is a free standing, artful way to provide privacy in the garden.
The triptych GRAPE SCREEN represents true collaboration at its best; my hand drawn, grape inspired design flows from one aluminum panel to the next. It could be sited indoors, too. So many options!
|
|
|
Hand drawn pencil version |
|
|
Teamwork makes the difference |
|
The artful aluminum privacy screen catches the light in a mature poplar woodland in Annapolis, MD. We'll be busy soon, enhancing this intimate site, making a magical woodland garden. The screen sets the tone for the new outdoor garden rooms.
Thank you to my collaborators and to my super patient patrons!
|
|
Collaboration requires collaborators! |
|
It's no surprise that collaborations and teamwork make it possible to partner my clients' visions and dreams with my garden concepts.
My role is to "think it up" and orchestrate the garden installation, but without my compatriots, these glorious projects wouldn't come together. Many hands help to bring my garden art to fruition.
This stone pathway/transition area incorporates large natural flagstone 'steppers', river rocks, earth tone gravel, and recycled strips of bluestone pavers.
|
|
A sketch provides guidance for the masons—the collaboration begins |
|
The remaining energy is supplied by thoroughly engaged clients, who share their 'wish lists' and happily participate in the process of garden building.
Their thoughtful collaboration is a driver that encourages the entire crew to raise the bar and make the end result beautiful, functional and most importantly, a memorable garden space.
|
|
Evidence of a collaborative success—a favorite client's 'secret garden' reflected in this small scale dipping pool |
|
Evidence of dramatic rainfall,
thanks to climate change
|
|
Mother Nature is a welcome partner and collaborator, also, most of the time.
Though this spring-summer was as challenging as it gets for landscaping and garden building here in Maryland. (TOO WET, TOO DRY, TOO HOT, TOO HUMID) we persevered and kept going.
And, thank goodness(!) recent plantings are settling in and new growth is exuberant.
How is your garden growing?
|
|
We have been watching my canine pal's Privacy Border grow, and it has us swooning. Kermit, the Portuguese Water Dog, is following the progress, too!
He loves wandering through the new plantings, chasing bunnies, exploring the space, and playing hide and seek in the foliage.
His people were eager to have a sense of privacy and enclosure. This planting separates two "back yards" with a mix of mostly native evergreens and shrubs. Shared on-site discussion and plant research made the selections shine and the results speak for themselves.
It's such a gift to have a team effort help solve garden challenges.
|
|
|
The 'before' view with little separating the two properties, except a small cryptomeria and a patch of switch grass that was dug, held during bed preparation and transplanted into the new hedgerow.
|
|
A remarkable difference in the sense of privacy, thanks to the thriving hedgerow. |
|
Visual height was an important requirement and Magnolia virginiana, loblolly pines and metasequoia, (Dawn Redwood) strategically placed serve that goal. When combined with bayberry, switch grass, abelia and red twig dogwood the planting already provides privacy while adding wildlife friendly texture and color.
Thanks to Longbranch Landscapes' crew for their hard work.
|
|
Red twig dogwood, a bird friendly native shrub |
|
The Long Anticipated Riverfront Hedgerow |
Southern magnolia, switch grass, red cedar—all are 'filling in' |
|
This is where imagination is helpful! Dormant plants set in place—spring planting was barely underway at this point. |
|
An update on this much anticipated privacy hedgerow; we already walk this new planting with a sense of accomplishment.
It helps to have encouraging clients who have faith in the design process, and we are all loving the progress.
|
|
The hedge was planted in April. The cool temps and adequate moisture jump-started the evergreens, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs. We'll need a little time before a look of maturity arrives, but gracious(!) what a difference already. |
|
|
Junipers (red cedars with blue berries for the birds), cryptomeria, arborvitae, bayberry, these evergreen textures mingle with flowering shrubs; lilacs, rosa rugosa, spirea, cotinus and native switch grass planted as a quick 'filler'. |
|
A good start for the yucca filamentosa and betony at the river's edge |
|
Lilacs were 'budding up' as the spring planting continued |
|
A hard working crew has this privacy border on its way.
|
|
An Invitation to Share Design Ideas |
|
Thanks to Moro.com for the invitation to join their team! How wonderful to have them include examples of my work in their inspirational and artful website.
|
|
Moro.com is an online source for ideas and products. The internationally acclaimed website reaches out to keen eyes who appreciate art and design.
The founder, Andrew Christodoulides, aims to improve the physical surroundings of Moro.com's users. Photos of featured projects are a virtual worldwide tour of dramatic design. The website can provide a springboard for any project you might be thinking/dreaming about.
They cover a lot of ground. Check it out to happily wander and search.
|
|
It's a kick to have our artful gardens included on the Moro.com site - the 'MidCentury Modern Screen' and the 'Habanero Peppers' are in good company
|
|
A wide array of creatives are included on Moro.com's site
Artists and Artisans - Architects - Construction and Contractors - Landscape and Garden - Home Stagers - Interior Designers - Photographers - Lighting Designers - Media and Bloggers
|
|
Moro.com features sophisticated design, contemporary to traditional. Spending more time close to home these days? Need inspiration? Be inspired. |
|
‘A Finishing Touch’
The bed that hugs the riverfront in this garden (and those in a number of other favorite projects, also) can be referred to as a filter strip. The plantings are all low growing, salt tolerant and tough enough to deal with full sun and windy conditions.
|
|
Long blooming perennial Gaura is loving the waterfront site |
|
When we have way too much rain all at once, thanks to climate change, a shoreline planting bed slows down the storm water and slows runoff. The rain is guided into the soil—it's a beautiful way to help the bay.
Seen from multiple interior rooms & waterside patios, there’s also a splendid view for passing boaters, watermen and yachts. This entire garden renovation has been a fabulous collaborative effort; my client has been an enthusiastic partner in the re-design of the pre-existing garden that he inherited a few years ago.
|
|
I even received inspirational photos from a visit to Monet’s home, ‘Giverny’ during the design process. The bar was raised high ;-)
He wanted color, color and more color. We have celebrated our shared project and are still working together to improve the garden.
|
|
Giverny—a source of inspiration and a tough act to follow! |
|
Our spring work was an extension of the existing shoreline bed. The tail end of the bed was wrapped into the westside border, we added new plants that suit the growing conditions and complement the existing plantings. |
|
Yarrow and Allium partnered with a friendly lawn path |
|
I am delighted with the first season showing; the gaura, yarrow, and dwarf panicum teamed well with the existing yucca, allium and dwarf clethra. The newbies all jumped up and grew quickly. We left a welcoming lawn path that leads to the neighbor’s property, so cruising back and forth along the beautiful riverfront is a piece of cake. |
|
|
|
Want more stories and photos?
Follow me on Instagram & Facebook!
Landscape. Sculpture. Jewelry.
Follow @jankirshstudio on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on landscape projects, observations of nature, sculpture inspiration, current exhibits and installations, and my brand new,
3D-printed jewelry collection.
#thegardensparkles
|
|
Collaborate carefully.
Remain optimistic as we cruise into the Fall season.
And, yes—please click on the yellow line below to help share my stories with your friends.
Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
