The Garden Curator · The Garden Curator

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Garden: A place where plants are grown for pleasure
Curator: from Latin: one who cares, from curare, to care for

After torrential rain today the sun squeezed throu

After torrential rain today the sun squeezed through the cloud illuminating all. I could watch changes in light all day, the way it shifts and fragments, casting violet shadows, brightening and mellowing in a constant change. Against a stormy sky following rain the colours are sumptuous and velvety.
Utterly ephemeral and so hard to capture, it's best to be outside in it, to experience those blissful moments before they disappear. I can see how the pursuit of capturing light drove many artists to obsession and madness. In a way gardening is painting with plants, rich colour and bold texture here, delicate strokes and gentler tones there. Though unlike a finished painting the palette shifts with the seasons, hours and minutes, the final brushstrokes dictated by the light. One of the great joys of gardening!

Do you ever have those days/weeks when you feel yo

Do you ever have those days/weeks when you feel you're peddling like mad but making no ground? This past couple of weeks has been spent in circles. Ironically I think it's at these times when we feel we're behind that we need to stop, to pause and regroup, in order to begin again.
Interestingly the subject of my work this week, the pieces over which I've lumbered, have also been those which have by their nature encouraged the pause. This jumbled collection of unfinished feathers and nests are only slowly coming together. And that's the point. They must be handled slowly and carefully, otherwise they end up tossed in the bin. Isn't the bird on the nest the perfect representation of gentle care and patience, the feather the perfect blend of strength and fragility! Hand in hand, ebbs and flows. On we go.♡♡♡

Getting washing off the line and soaking up the ev

Getting washing off the line and soaking up the evening. Verdant green and sorbet sky, It's a good one.

Back in the studio making feathers. Some finished

Back in the studio making feathers. Some finished, some not. Tiny feathers, big feathers. Sleek feathers, fluffy feathers.

An wander in the early spring garden in evening li

An wander in the early spring garden in evening light, dogs in tow, in an effort to clear a head stuffed with an end of season bug and cotton wool. A day of sunshine and an evening chorus of birds and lambs is the perfect panacea.
I've treated myself to a new whizz bang Nikon digital slr camera but I'm yet to take it out of the box. It seems complicated and I'm a little scared of it. I'm hoping though that mastery will mean capturing evening light like this, which is always so much more beautiful in person. I will unwrap it, and I will master it.....any tips??

There is as much plant beneath the surface as ther

There is as much plant beneath the surface as there is above. The unseen anchors, feeds and is the lifeblood of the seen, quietly going about it without the accolades of the fanfare above. Without that life beneath the surface, life above would simply not exist. Quiet achievers.

Some lovely things have been arriving in the post

Some lovely things have been arriving in the post lately...a new seed tin from the fabulous @gingingardenclub, pots of new plants, dahlia tubers and seeds from mailorder nurseries. Exciting! The September The Garden Curator letter is also soon to arrive in virtual mailboxes. A little about plant collecting, favourite blossoms, new reads and things to listen to, and a wig wearing man named Carl ....curious? It flies tomorrow, so you just have time to sign up to the mailing list via the link in my bio. I love this community of art and garden lovers, thankyou to new and old subscribers, you make my day. Thankyou!