Art in the Garden

Inspire the Way you Live with Stunning Canvas Art

2010-12-07T23:25:00.000-08:00

Urban Oasis is now carrying outdoor photographs on canvas from Rattan la Difference. Drop by the store to check out how beautiful they are. It's the perfect way to turn a bare spot into a feature.

Now you can enjoy the view of a spectacular ocean panorama, magnificent mountains or the charming beauty of the Tuscan countryside; vibrant images from the world's greatest photographers.

Decorate your home or office both inside and out with breathtaking images capturing nature's beauty. Whether tranquil or exotic, our giclee on canvas photographs have been reproduced with exquisite detail and quality.

We are proud to offer these for both INDOOR and OUTDOOR use, a vast selection of images of nature and world architecture.

Backed by the manufacturer's two year warranty, our outdoor images are stretched and gallery wrapped on a 1½" all weather polyvinyl stretcher bars, coated with UV protectors that prevent fading and are tested to withstand sun, rain and snow for years to come.

Why not embellish your empty outside walls, deck, spa or garden with beautiful and durable images that will inspire you every time.

To view the entire collection scroll to the link at the bottom of the page.

http://www.rattanladifference.com/products.php?cat=Canvas%20Art

Mayne Island Glass Foundry

2010-11-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

This week I would like to feature local glass artist Mark Lauchner, whose art I carry at Urban Oasis.

The Glass Blowing Studio of Mark Lauckner

and

small scale glass-recycling business

The Mayne Island Glass Foundry is dedicated to

the process of making environmentally friendly glass art and

designing super energy-efficient studio glass equipment.

I love the slugs best, I tell customers they are guard slugs, like scare crows to ward of other slug thugs in your garden-hood. I think I am funny?

The starfish are popular

He also makes an assortment of bowls, seahorses, and other treasures.

check out Mark's website to see how he creates his pieces

http://www.mayneislandglass.com/index.html

Molten Spirit Glass Studio

2010-11-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

Chris Motloch's Studio in the Woods

Chris creates one-of-a-kind blown glass pieces, including platters, bowls, vases, chalices, witch balls, pumpkins, hummingbird feeders, ornaments, glass jellyfish, and paperweights.

He also enjoys making commissioned work such as custom light shades, sculptural pieces, wall displays, and garden art.

Chris Motloch started out as an apprentice in 1998 in a large glass blowing studio in Vancouver. There he gained a foundation in factory-based production glass blowing skills.

Chris has studied and assisted at the renowned Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington and he is a regular contributor to the annual Pilchuck Auction.
Chris has also received scholarships to attend Red Deer College’s Hot Glass Program, in Alberta.

Through these studies and from assisting other glass artists, Chris has gathered fine art skills and techniques to add to his personal work.

Chris founded Molten Spirit Glass Studio in 2005 and works mostly alone to create his unique production, personal and commissioned works.

Show Room Address: (Please call for Appointment)

885 Byng Road

Roberts Creek, British Columbia

Telephone: 1.604.886.0357

info@moltenspiritglass.com

bwisegardening: Chihuly at Cheekwood

2010-11-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

bwisegardening: Chihuly at Cheekwood

Artist Spotlight – Glass Gardens Northwest |

2010-11-02T22:53:00.000-07:00

Artist Spotlight – Glass Gardens Northwest |

Little and Lewis

2009-07-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

It was only a matter of time before I had to include a link to the web site of Little and Lewis. If you haven't heard of their work you are in for a real treat. Many will recognise the Gunnera leaf sculptures, even if you don't know who made them famous.

I saw these sculptures a number of years ago, and absolutely loved them. Oh the whimsy!!!, they are just too much fun.

http://www.littleandlewis.com/llhtml/install1.html

I am finally getting around to posting them after coming across a great how to book, and web-site for making concrete Art in the Garden. I was very impressed with this site, inspired even as I too have been meaning to try a leaf casting.

There are lots of great tips for concrete garden art, and some links like the one to the Little and Lewis page that inspired me to post this.

http://www.the-artistic-garden.com/index.html

Copper water fountains

2008-06-25T16:05:00.001-07:00

I came across these wonderful fountains by Steve Rayman. He is a copper artist who has been building copper fountains since 1993. Here is a taste of his site, and a link at the bottom.
You'll see nothing like his work anywhere else in the country--or in the world. Steve Rayman has mastered creating copper sculptures evolving from basic geometric shapes and has added water sheeting down as an element of movement.

The look, the sound, the drama is unique.

Each of Steve's sculptures is individually created of hand-hammered copper, with an acid wash applied to produce the verdigris patina.

The added surprise with his fountain sculptures: the top forms a shallow pool that attracts birds of all sizes to drink and bathe--another element of movement added to your setting

http://www.bluewaterfountains.com/index.html

Purse Planters

2008-05-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do something fun for Mother's Day, and came up with purse planters. I had a lot of fun making these.

I looked for fabric flowerpot style purses at the Sally Anne down the street.

I sealed them with epoxy compounds, I had from Kayak building to preserve, and water proof them.

It is a good idea to use a respirator, and rubber gloves with epoxy.

I stuffed the purses with plastic bags to give them form. Epoxy will not stick to silicon, and plastic. I applied the first coats of epoxy to just the outside. When the outside had hardened, I was able to apply additional coats to the inside, and outside. Most fabric can be buried in the epoxy with three coats. Check your work in the first hour to smooth out any drips. You will need to sand between coats.

I drilled drainage holes in the bottom of each purse. I didn't worry the holes were a little small. I knew with the small size of the planters they would dry out quickly in the summer heat.

I hung the purses while drying to fix the handle in an upright position.

My favorite was this delicate sequenced evening bag. I planted it with apricot punch, and cherry blast calibrocoa. This one is for my Mommy.

The others were a little larger and could accommodate geraniums, and typical basket stuffers. The sequence details on the handles look great under the epoxy, and will never fall off.

This one had embroidered flowers. I won't be able to go through the Sally Anne now without checking out the purses. I was able to pay between a few cents, and about $4 for my finds.

This one came out very shiny, it was of a synthetic fabric. These ones take much less epoxy, but drip easily.

Another cotton bag. I wonder what else I can make into planters. I have seen children's blue jeans, shoes, and shorts planted.

This one came with plastic bottom, and handles, so I didn't need to seal those parts. I hope you enjoyed these, if you have any questions about epoxy, or the planters I would be happy to comment.

Douglas Walker

2008-05-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine thought I should meet this artist. I have been looking for unique fountains for my store, and he knew I would love this person's work. We haven't met yet but I do love his work, here is his web site. It's a great site, check out the links to other artists too. http://www.waterworksgardenart.com/

Pictured here is one of his custom made gates. Made from heavy copper tube it will withstand the test of time while becoming more beautiful with each passing year. Custom sizes available on request.

Humorous, eclectic and functional, a WaterWorks bird feeder is a wonderful addition to any garden, large or small.

WaterWorks fountains are designed to be used in containers such as half-barrels, and to be featured on decks, patios, and in garden ponds. The fountains are stunning, they are beautiful, and have a complexity, and attention to detail sure to captivate any ones attention.

http://www.waterworksgardenart.com/

Wind Chime Artist

2008-05-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

Unique designs using glass, beach stones, copper and wood. Inspired by the beauty of the beach glass his youngest son collected on the local beaches, artist Tim Kline worked to perfect a method to produce his own 'beach-type' glass that he now uses extensively in his work. He also uses local driftwood, beach stones, pebbles, red cedar and other natural materials.

The wind is not always blowing, so artist Tim Kline believes wind chimes should be about more than just sound: They should also look great!

Using his own beach glass inspired stained glass, copper, red cedar and other interesting beautiful materials, Tim designs and handcrafts stunningly beautiful works of art that go far beyond most wind chimes.

Why choose just a wind chime, when you could own wind chime art?

Rust is beautiful. So instead of copper, for the wind chimes , Tim has chosen iron chimes with a beautiful patina of rust.

Carefully selected Pacific driftwood is used to create these works that reflect the beaches they were gathered from.

Tim Kline is an Artist living on the Pacific coast of British Columbia. His work is inspired by the beauty of the natural environment he calls home. Visit the site of West coast Chimes, and enjoy this local artists works.

http://www.coastchimes.com/index.html

Tippy Pots

2008-04-28T06:42:00.001-07:00

I use tippy pot stacks in my displays around the garden centre, and am often asked, "how do you do that"?

The trick is to install a piece of re bar, to support the stack. If you have a hard surface, where you intend to place your stack your re bar will need feet. The feet allow you to place it in the bottom of the pot. Otherwise you may pound re bar directly into the ground, and thread your pot onto it through the drain hole.

I sometimes place additional support, in this case some old stakes, to keep the second pot from settling. Make sure you compact the soil well before placing second pot id you don't use a stake.

The second pot rests on the soil.

The pot is held in place by threading it on the re bar through the drain hole.

The re bar should sit up against the edge of the pot, giving it maximum tip.

Thread on your third pot, balancing it on the edge of the second pot.

The next, or final pot, must tilt from the opposite edge, it's easy.

This is my giant version, these are large pots, and they sit outside the front of my store.

tippy pots planted up with pansies, and perennials.

Arborisculpture

2008-04-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

An ancient art is being revised, pleaching or arbori-sculpture has been around for centuries. Many of us have seen braided ficus trunks on our potted specimens at our tropical plants store. This is the same in a go big or go home manner. Pleaching has also traditionally been used to make wattle fences; a method which involves bending and weaving live pliant saplings of species like willow. They are planted in a row, woven into a fence, and in time grow together to form a solid structure. Here are some pics where this technique has become although practical, I think for fun, or Art's sake.

Here is nature creating her own version.

Ficus tree hut

How to grow a Chair interview with Richard Reames

Using ancient grafting techniques and a few basic tools, Richard Reames shapes living trees into furniture and sculpture near his home in Oregon for clients worldwide. He is the author of two self-published books, How to Grow a Chair: The Art of Tree Trunk Topiary with Barbara Delbol, and Arborsculpture: Solutions for a Small Planet, published in June. His work was on display this summer at the World Expo in Aichi, Japan. Joshua Foer spoke to Reames in July 2005 by telephone. http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/20/foer.php

Lawn chair with real lawn

2008-04-04T20:20:00.001-07:00

I finished my Lawn Chair, for more pics check out http://urbanoasisgardening.blogspot.com/

The jungle book

2008-03-29T15:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.adverbox.com/the-jungle-book/
A funny little advert.

Living walls

2008-03-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

Living wall technology is finding it's way into mainstream Urban cores in North America. I was excited by the conceptual drawings, and demo board my Art instuctor Xane St Stevens brought to show the class. Xane was delighted to be involved in the upcoming living wall design for a local project here in Victoria, BC. http://www.gatewaygreen.ca/pdfs/GreenWall_TC_Jan27.pdf

The exciting part was not only the project, but all the ways the living wall concept could be used both functionally, and as Art. It is another way to push the envelope and re-visit the way we garden. We have all seen moss hanging baskets, and many of us have seen or made living wreaths. My succulent chair is a chicken wire and moss assemblage.

I have added links to the Eden project, there are many great pieces to view, under Art; make sure you navigate through the current artists pages.

You will also enjoy Patrick Blancs site.

This living sculpture is from the Eden project.

http://www.edenproject.com/index.php?splash=0

Sue and Pete Hill Sue is Artist Director at Eden, was a member of Kneehigh Theatre for 12 years and is a renowned sculptor, designer and actor.

Sue and Pete with Eve
Born and raised in Cornwall. She makes most of her sculpture with her brother Pete Hill. Together they made some living sculptures for Heligan Gardens - a huge sleeping Mudmaid and a Giant's Head. Just mud and sticks and Cornish plants.
Their Eve is a great, green, woman. She's just taken a bite out of that apple, and is using her new knowledge.
Eve will shortly be re-appearing in Myth & Folklore built into the bank above the 'willow dome'.
Pete has also worked on the magical Story Pavilion with Kate Munro in the Myth and Folklore area of the Outside Biome

Living wall architect Patrick Blanc
http://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com/

Tofino Botanical Gardens

2008-03-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Tofino Botanical garden's is host to Art in The Garden's annual sculpture event, as well as home to some great west coast works.
photo's
http://www.tbgf.org/photos/art.php

artist's bio
http://www.tbgf.org/gardens/sculptures.php

About the garden's

TOFINO BOTANICAL GARDENS
Tofino Botanical Gardens are twelve acres of gardens, forest, and shoreline that explore the relationship between culture and nature. The gardens are operated by the Tofino Botanical Gardens Foundation, a non-profit registered Canadian charity.
A network of paths and boardwalks will take you from the Visitor Centre past kitchen gardens, the Frog Pond, and Children's Garden into the forest, where clearings have been transformed into a series of pocket gardens.
Some of these gardens display plants that once thrived in other coastal temperate rainforests around the world. Others celebrate the various cultural groups that have made Clayoquot Sound their home now and in the past, particularly the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, early pioneer homesteaders, Japanese fishing families, and, of course, Hippies.
The mission of Tofino Botanical Gardens is to inspire conservation of the world’s Temperate Coastal Rainforests
We are dedicated to the cultivation and display of plants native to the world’s coastal temperate rainforests, and to research and education programs to improve knowledge and understanding of the ecosystems of the UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve.
We hope that Tofino Botanical Gardens will help people of all ages to develop an interested and caring attitude that will encourage them to take action for temperate coastal rainforest conservation.
We believe in the Preservation of the last remaining Old Growth Forests of Clayoquot Sound.
We understand that a sense of humor helps in this effort.
Tofino Botanical Gardens is a non-profit Foundation.Thank you for your support

Clare Dohna

2008-03-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

I came across a Mosaic Artist, who creates stunning garden installations. I hope you enjoy Clare Dohna's works as much as I have. Here is a link to her web site. http://claredohna.com/

I love the colors

Each tile is individually hand cut, fired, painted, re fired, and applied to the piece.

This installation creates a whimsical world, making this garden a special and unique place.

Hannah Pescher Sculpture Garden

2008-03-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

Here is an inspirational site I came across.http://scratchthesky.com/hannah-peschar-sculpture-garden/the_garden.htmlI love that the setting is natural, it creates a wonderful juxtaposition for the Art. The pieces beautifully crafted by man of natural or manufactured materials, many appear organically inspired, reflect man's relationship to nature. It is always poignant to find the unexpected; I would love to wander through this outdoor gallery.

Lawn chairs

2008-03-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

Check out these literal interpretations of lawn furniture.

adding a little whimsy

2008-03-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

I have been haunting the thrift stores of late, searching for items to use as planters or art in the garden.I am doing a demonstration at the Art Gallery on container gardening so wanted to come up with something creative. I was very excited by a chairs possibilities, it had ugly fabric, but the frame was very shiny. I like shiny things. It reminded me of the mirrored gazing balls, so already I visualised it paired with one, and well, that was it. I wish I had a before picture, I didn't think to take a photo till I was nearly finished the project. I am very pleased with the results. I amused myself by depositing it at the bus stop in front of the store for a couple of hours. I like shiny things and am easily amused.

Glass Art in the Garden

2007-12-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

Here is an amazing site, take the time to Navigate thru it to find all it's treasures. Renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly has taken combining art objects in the Garden to a new height. Enjoy!
http://www.chihuly.com/installations/phipps/index.html

Under Water Sculpture

2007-12-16T15:06:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist sharing this site. It is a case where Art literally makes the garden. In this case an underwater park is transformed into a garden by the addition of sculpture. There is of course no planting going on here, the garden is defined purely by the sculpture. There is no landscape, or borders, it is an environ void of garden in every aspect, and yet. This has to be the best example of art creating a setting , or defining a space I can imagine. It separates a section of a vast ocean floor into a place, it is a location, it has a mood, it changes into something completely new. The possibilities are very exciting when I begin re-considering art in the landscape with this concept. I find this is fascinating conceptually, please enjoy, let me know what you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X33698McQ7g
http://www.underwatersculpture.com/