Blockbuster Garden design scene, watercolor on paper

Why am I designing gardens? As I grow older I want to spend more and more time outdoors, and realize how important nature, beauty and relaxation are in our hectic lives.   Gardens are living sculptures, and I love how each season yields different wonders to behold.  There are so many living things available for planting and creating immersive worlds of natural beauty.  All of my garden designs have a few things in common.  I hope to make living environments where beauty, mystery and play are accessible to all people, and to bring awareness to the importance of spending time in nature.  All the gardens are parks designed to be open to the public and free of charge.  I chose specific trees, shrubs and flowers for their unique aesthetic qualities and relative low maintenance to flourish and work in tandem with nature.  Their placement and beauty will continue to grow and increase with age.  The gardens are designed to involve students and citizens in many ways by being fun and refreshing places to learn and participate in garden upkeep and plant education.   I also intend on inviting participation to design

Garden Design notes, watercolor on paper

and build some structural elements such as walkway pavers, plant containers and sculptures.   As illustrated in my paintings and notes, the gardens are designed to evoke certain moods.  For example, in The Secret Garden, hidden entrances and a combination of flowers and vines, even if left unattended, will add a feeling of mystery and wonder.  The Blockbuster Garden and Animated Garden utilize multiple plantings of each type of plant and tree to create saturated color and scent environments.  The Blockbuster Garden also employs structures and sculptures to add an even more playful quality.  In each garden, there will be a plaque paying homage and commemorating the preservation of natural ecosystems and wild places- which after all, are the world’s true gardens.