Studiology

Cautionary Tales

This Saturday is the opening of "Cautionary Tales" and I've had a blast building the pieces. A big part of the caution in cautionary tales is recycling or using parts that one might not consider when making art. I have used a deodorant container, an eyelash curler, car parts, and an old "Chia Pet" head. At times my expectations waned when things didn't come together as I had imagined, but in the end (some with a lot of overtime), all worked out, many beyond my wildest dreams. 

As an introduction to one piece, I would like to introduce you to Gilbert. He is an ornithologist. His expression is odd, a "shit eating grin" or maybe someone who is under the influence. I played the audition game with Gilbert, he wasn't an ornithologist at first, just a round "Chia Pet" head, made of clay. With the audition game one try's to put objects together to see how they look. To cut his head in half for mounting on a flat surface, I filled his head with water, and then ran a diamond cut-off wheel clean through. The clay was soft, it was easy. Gilbert's expression is what finally decided his fate. His expertise in the field of ornithology is the bluebird of happiness. 

The bird is made of epoxy clay, each feather was carefully formed. The head was coated in gesso so it would absorb the paint properly.

I have a large piece that is titled "Recycle". It actually is a recycled piece of art, I have a failed photograph on the back of the frame. The metal is a timing chain gear, most other parts are old clock case parts and toys, with a few old rusty nails.

Mrs. Blaa Blaa is made with my old eyelash curler. She can chatter on endlessly. 

There will be many more so consider the reception at Art A La Carte in Occoquan, Virginia this Saturday, October 1st, from 1 to 5 or come in during the month of October to see the show.   

Fall is for Asters

The gardener is generally in a state of overload by fall. We've fought weeds, tangled with the hose a few too many times, and deadheaded flowers since spring. But there are those few that consider fall the best season of all. There are reasons to feel encouraged by this seasonal change. The temperatures cool, rain returns, or at least stays in the ground longer, flowers hold up better with cooler temperatures, and it's very doable. 

One group of perennials that own fall are the asters. We have numerous choices of glorious native asters that flower into November. Short, tall, tightly mounding, or gloriously arching, for sun or partial sun, every garden should have a few.

 Since there are so many, I'd like to introduce you to a few of my favorites. In low and mounding, front of the border asters, use the "Wood Series". Available in pink, blue, and purple, they will fill and grow as loosely mounding perennials for summer, flowering in September and October. The pink choice is more like a pale lavender, a gorgeous color for fall. Buy them as Aster dumosus or Symphyotrichum dumosum (a recent reclassification), commonly known as the dwarf side button aster. 

A couple taller varieties are related to each other (cousins you might say), originally found growing in Kentucky, they are Aster oblongifolius or Symphyotrichum oblongifolium. The variety A. 'October Skies' grows to four feet (do not believe the tags, which say much less) with an equal spread. I grow this variety through peony rings in spring to support the stems all summer. The name defines the color of the flowers. Its cousin A. 'Raydon's Favorite' is also blue, the stems more woody, the height equal or a tad more. Flowers arrive in October and continue into November. Passing pollinators, desperate for nectar, always stop for a drink here, where it's not unusual to hear the entire plant humming with honeybees, and dancing with butterflies.

In tall arching I recommend Aster cordifolius. The slender stems can arch to five feet, dancing between golden rod, late chrysanthemums, and ornamental grasses. The flowers are numerous, a pale, pale blue. Native throughout the Eastern seaboard, it's drought tolerant too. This species welcomes partial sun, where it adds glitter to the garden in November.

It's a nice way to end the year, a spot of color to reward your hard work.  

Lectures and Events for Fall, Winter, and Spring

Listed below are the various classes I will be teaching. All of these are open to the public, check the links if you are interested. 

Saturday, September 17th

Merrifield Gardens, at the Fair Oaks location: 10:00 AM

"Pollination"

Come and spend an hour with me as I show the various ways that flowers are pollinated. I will talk about how an insect sees the flowers as well as the different rewards that draw different pollinators. There is no registration required and it's free!

Saturday, October 1 at Art A La Carte Gallery in Occoquan. Artist's reception from 1 to 5 PM. The address is 310 Mill Street, in Occoquan, across from "The Bottle Stop Wine Bar", on the main street. There will be light snacks and wine for the reception.  

My show officially opens for the month and the reception will be held on the first Saturday, Oct. 1. This years' show title is "Cautionary Tales" and here's  "The Frog Prince". He rotates. Each piece contains various items that have been recycled. 

Saturday, October 29 at Merrifield Gardens, the Gainesville location, 10 AM

"Bulbs"

I plan on broadening your use of bulbs, covering all of the seasons. Planning for spring with daffodils is one thing, but you can include so many others to make summer and fall lots of fun. Everything from gladiolus (and which ones have been hardy for me), to lycoris and hardy cyclamen. No registration required and free!

Saturday, January 14th and 21st, at the Center for the Arts in Manassas, VA - 9:30 to 12:30

Beginner's Guide to Using your Nikon digital SLR

A timely class if you received a new DSLR for Christmas. I will be teaching the basics which include controls on the outside of your camera, menu items and ways to organize your photographs. There will be a small class on creative techniques as well. Bring your camera, any lenses you have, the manual, and a notebook. 

Sunday, February 19 at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria. 1:30

This is going to be a very fun little winter lecture with 3 speakers and we all have only 1 topic to talk about, our 10 favorite plants. I have already spent a month making lists. Whew, the pressure! More information will be available as we get closer to the date. The other 2 presenters are Keith Tomlinson and Judy Zatsick.

Saturday, March 4 at Green Spring Gardens - 10:30 to 11:30

"Landscape Rejuvenation"

Using Bonnie Appleton's book  - "Landscape Rejuvenation" as the core, I will discuss when its time to think about reviewing your plantings, particularly foundation plants. I will also cover the use of focal plants, those that create a sense of permanence or mass. 

 

Rip Van Winkle

My assemblage piece "Rip Van Winkle" is complete. Another cautionary tale for the October show. And if you are at all familiar with the story, written in 1819 by Washington Irving, it's more than just a  tale of sleep that lasted for 20 years. The man, Rip, was considered a man of idleness. His wife, Dame Van Winkle, was inclined to nag him about getting something (anything) done. His wandering into the forest was to help a man move a keg of moonshine, something I believe he was happy to do. The ultimate reason for his long slumber may be the moonshine he shared, or his nagging wife, or an escape from the American Revolution, but he awoke with a beard that was a foot long, a rusty musket and no idea that he had slept so long. His canine companion was gone, having decided many years prior to leave his master and return home. His wife was now dead, but his daughter and son were still alive, and as many stories go, he lived happily ever after. 

I included his faithful companion, a dog named Wolf.

Rip's hair is wound into a nest, complete with eggs.

The old pages on the back of the piece are legal papers, mostly pertaining to wills and mortgages. This as well as many other pieces will be up for the October show, with a reception on October 1st, from 1 to 5. There will be wine and snacks and lots to see.