I used to tell my students that even the most experienced gardener will not know everything, in our business there is always something new to learn. Our seasons are becoming increasingly unpredictable and right now the heavens seem to have forgotten that it is planting time and I didn’t check the weather forecast before collecting my 160…
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New Art Gallery – Shepton Mallet
Myself and four other artists have opened a gallery in Shepton Mallet High Street, called The Art Tree, we exhibit paintings and willow artwork. The initial idea was the brainwave of Pauline Bereton who runs the Shepton Mallet Antiques shop. Initially the gallery was planned to be open until Christmas however due to interest it looks like…
Lantern making workshops – Shepton Mallet
Today I worked in a local school with year 6 pupils making paper lanterns. This is one of 7 workshops which will be taking place as part of Shepton Paper Lights Festival on 21st December (www.sheptonpaperlights.org.uk)
Sculptural willow balls
This time of year when the leaves are blown from the trees I can’t help myself from harvesting interesting twigs and vines from the hedgerows. I love the colours and textures of bark and found in my store bark from eucalyptus and pine which I had previously harvested. A few days soaking in my trough…
Arts week – Burnham on Sea
I worked with year 6 pupils on the first day of their arts week to create a willow person in a small courtyard at the centre of their school. We were lucky that it was a very warm day for the time of year, the children were great and I found the noisy seagulls a…
Willow Great Crested Newt – Basingstoke
It was a glorious day working in a conservation meadow with children and their parents. The Making (Basingstoke) organised these free workshops at The Vyne (Basingstoke) and I was one of two artists working on the estate that day. As the day progressed so did the willow newt!
Terracing on steep slope – Farnham
A steep neglected garden is transformed into a functional family garden with a contemporary feel, low maintenance planting, secret areas, decking and firepit. The planting design will provide a long season of interest, grasses have been used for their movement, colour and architectural forms which persist into the winter. This garden will be built in…
Eco house garden – Shepton Mallet
A consultation for a new garden on a sloping site with natural springs and extensive views of the Somerset countryside. The garden has been laid out to have impact and vista lines whilst being low maintenance.
Courtyard planting plan – Pylle
A planting plan for a Mediterranean style courtyard garden; low maintenance, sensory, year round interest and architectural shapes.
Contemporary house and garden – Surrey
A contemporary new house surrounded by an extensive sloping garden, woodland and orchard. Timber, crisp concrete paving and local brick were the main materials used in the site construction; these were further used in the hard landscaping. Low maintenance was a key requirement in the landscaping brief whilst retaining the contemporary feel with the use of curves to…