Way back in May I gave you a little glimpse or Installment #1 of the zany little plot of paradise that is our friend Hart’s garden. In May, the focus was on the Rhodos with just a little dollop of mosaics. But today, be prepared for a peak at how an artist “decorates” his garden.
Now the three of us have spent years at Art college and I suppose what art college teaches you most is to see possibilities in even the humblest of things. To see beauty in texture and form. To create compositions and focal points, and in Hart’s case, to create what I like to call “arrangements”. In fact, my nickname for him is the “Lone Arranger”.
Take for instance his arrangement of rust in a tucked away spot on one of the many paths in his garden. Here the garden wall is decorated with a collection of muffin tins left to rust, creating a grid like texture that sets off the mosaic bench in iron oxide colors, that even has a suitably colored ceramic fish as part of it’s surface.
As your eyes take that in you are led to a rusty cowboy figure, a rusting feathered heart ( a garage-sale-find-birthday-gift from us) and a birdhouse decorated with ….. yes that really is a pair of pears.
And rounding out this rusty feast for the eyes is a rusting bedstead curling through the greenery. I just love this spot.
Carrying on with this tour, we come upon Rodin’s The Thinker, lost in thought, of course. The Gazing Ball behind him could represent the world, maybe the focus of his thoughts. But note the arrangement, the way the colors of the ferns and Japanese Maple complete the scene Hart has created.
Next, near another wall is the Half Man. I noticed when I was getting the photos ready that I’d managed to inadvertently create the proverbial “fig leaf” with cedar. Funny story here, a neighbour could see this figure from her window and phoned to say it freaked her out first thing in the morning. Hart obligingly moved it for her.
On my way to another part of the garden, Mojo, one of the cats, had to get cozy with my camera. He’s very affectionate.
Other people on a pebbled beach see pebbles. Hart sees heart shaped rocks. Here a collection is featured, set off by rust and greenery.
Another mosaic bench set in the front entry to the courtyard, matches the lushness of it’s surroundings of ferns.
Even a gateway is not left unadorned. Here the little mosaic stepping stones create a counterpoint to the bars of the gate.
The garden has many gathering spots, places to party or to relax. For this spot the beaded curtains and flags are enticing, pulling you in, to find out what is beyond or behind them.
And beyond is another example of recycling and rust. The round mirror, already giving way to nature, garlanded in tacky plastic beads becomes elegant.
A wooden mirror reflects not only the view but becomes the subject of an arrangement itself.
And the pink flamingo? Well, that was another garage sale find of ours, that I painted up and we gave Hart on another birthday. Well, in a garden full of whimsey, I was sure the flamingo would feel right at home.
So I hope you’ve enjoyed Installment # 2 of Hart’s garden. I know we never tire of it. There is still more to see, but we’ll save that for another day.
What a treat it would be to meander through Hart’s garden. It looks like the kind of place where the saying “the more you look, the more you see” would hold true. Thanks for sharing it.
Dear Helen, I have found the tour of your friend’s garden absolutely fascinating. I love the ‘compositions’ which, as you say, make the ordinary become extraordinary. Such is definitely the work of an artist.
I also find that when art is placed in a garden, it acts to slow one down and make onelook very much more carefully at both the artwork and its surroundings. I am sure that in Hart’s garden, a tour is never the same however many times it is carried out.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Hart’s garden! The mosaic benches are beautiful. I especially like the gazing ball arrangement, and the half man made me laugh!
Hi Linda of Crafty Gardener, His garden is full of delights to discover, so many things and arrangements to enjoy.
Hello Edith, Happy that you found Hart’s art garden fascinating. And you are quite right, there is always something to see and ponder and enjoy to keep you from rushing through.
Hi Deb, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my little tour of Hart’s garden. And there’s still more to see, I just couldn’t pack it all into just one or two posts.
Helen, this garden is truly inspiring. I just love the whimsy of it all.
The very clever way that some everyday objects like the muffin tins etc. and how they’ve rusted so nicely, along with the way they are presented, completely turns them in to garden art/sculpture. Wonderful!
I am feeling very uncreative, looking at your friends garden, but I did get a few ideas.
Hi Karen, Being an artist yourself, I knew you would see the art of the garden and enjoy it. Glad you came to visit.
Hi Deborah, I have to admit, I always find all of Hart’s ideas inspiring myself.
I love the cupcake tins!!!
Your “accidental fig-leaf” made me smile, Helen.
What a fascinating stroll through a garden just stuffed with personality! My favorite vignette was definitely The Thinker with the colors arranged so nicely to highlight that gorgeous Japanese maple. And now I’d like to have a covered patio nook encircled by beaded curtains; imagine how peaceful and slyly secretive one must feel, sitting there looking out, when the rain is dripping down in autumn. Ah…
Hi Meredith, The Thinker is a lovely and colorful vignette alright. And I’m happy that the little patio nook with beaded curtains has inspired you.
Hi Jenn, Cupcake tins, muffin tins, as they rust they really get interesting.
Hi, Helen! The positioning of the purple gazing ball with its smooth shiny surface near the purple Japanese maple with leafy matte texture, with white blocks in a green space, is absolutely stunning!!!! How happy the Thinker will be when he wakes up and looks around him!!! Thanks, as always, for sharing.
Nice Helen, u are always fascinating.
Hi Sister Shirl, Glad you enjoyed the tour of Hart’s garden. It’s always fun and fascinating.
Hi Marianne, the “Lone Arranger” does know how to mix his colors and textures alright. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Helen,
I enjoyed the tour through the Gardens as well. I love the picture of the kitty and seeing the way they have given old items a new purpose. I am a local Victorian as well. I have a blog where I find old furniture and give it new life.
Check me out if you have the chance.
Hi Jessica, I’m happy that you enjoyed the tour through the garden and all the recycled goodies. I’ll be sure to check out your blog, nice to meet a fellow recycler.