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

This teeny tiny commission is not much bigger than

This teeny tiny commission is not much bigger than you see it here, (if you're in front of a phone screen that is), the backing board only 10cm across. Every studio day is different and every commission reflects a different story. It makes for an interesting and lovely path!

It was lovely to get away on a little roadtrip, pa

It was lovely to get away on a little roadtrip, particularly into our magnificent outback. Sneaking time away from family businesses is tricky and every minute is a gift, so our trip west was short but full of special moments, family history and connection with our vast landscapes. The 2500km was also a great opportunity for our resident learner driver to click up some practice hours!
It's lovely too to be home where we're greeted by a gentler landscape, also beautiful but in a different way. Ours hills are green but there are pockets of garden gold. There is evidence of big frosts during our absence, the last of the perennials have blackened and there is a collective collapse of the masses. This little Tagetes though is smiling, kept company by the gentler copper of the Miscanthus. I've never been a huge fan of yellow flowers, but my mind changes each season, and the warmth of these cheerful daisy faces is welcome amid winter grey. Here they have their place, and in summer the yellow Achillea, Phlomis and Rudbeckia will sit equally comfortably among the blues of Lavender, Salvia and Veronica. Little bits of sunshine and a warm welcome home!

This time last year, this work (picture 1), was sh

This time last year, this work (picture 1), was showing in this gallery (picture 2), as a finalist in the Pro Hart Outback Art Prize. The gallery is the beautiful @brokenhillregionalartgallery which we visited last week on our trip to this historic outback town. It's a gorgeous space, our longest running NSW regional gallery and houses a collection of works by iconic artists - Streeton, Bunny, Olsen, Tjapaltjarri and so many more. It's such a thrill to have the opportunity to have work hanging under the same roof as these artists, both in galleries like this, and in private collections. Mindboggling and imposter syndrome inducing! We are lucky to have galleries and collectors committed to celebrating Australian artists from all backgrounds, young and old. A visit to a regional gallery is the perfect outing for a socially distanced winter's day.
Happy Sunday all, stay safe and well♡♡

We're on a little roadtrip into the outback, the f

We're on a little roadtrip into the outback, the far far west of NSW, a place close to our hearts and a special chapter of my family story. It's a place that somehow always feels like home while also triggering melancholy.
There's water in the magical Menindee Lakes. Shrouded by thick fog and horizon blurred, they felt particularly ethereal. I can see how these beautiful but challenging places sculpted the creative foundation of my family. How could they not.♡

Here they are! The five completed works of Austral

Here they are! The five completed works of Australian native plants will hang together to depict a walk through this stunning private garden. Hop over to stories to see each finished piece in full. They're on their way in just a few days, and having got to know them intimately over the past few months I'll miss them! They're off to a sublime home with people passionate about Australian plants. Perfect.

The garden has shed most of its jewel colour and v

The garden has shed most of its jewel colour and velvety foliage. Just like magic the frost has turned its "going out clothes" into textured tweeds, sedately weaving shades of chocolate, grey and ochre. What these threads lack in fresh colour they make up for in strong character. There's a stoicism about these seeds and pods, braving the winter elements while the more fragile foliage turns to earth. They take the punch of winter chill on the chin and keep standing triumphantly, and in doing so they are carriers of future generations of their kind.
They'll stay until the big annual cut back begins soon. Once I'd leave it until the last week in winter, but in order to get the whole garden done by spring with one pair of hands, I'm beginning earlier each year. Peeling back these winter threads is always bitter sweet - though I lament losing them, the emerging new growth beneath signals things to come!

My beautiful friend visited yesterday with her gor

My beautiful friend visited yesterday with her gorgeous daughter, a year 12 student with a final art project looming. It was so lovely to chat with these special women, to share the studio and talk through art ideas. Despite year 12 being 30 years ago for me (and now next year for my eldest son!!!), I remember it well. My major art work was a textile and painted piece depicting rural life. I laboured over it, layers and layers of textural scenes from the mountains to the outback, interestingly now an early reflection of things to come. Surprisingly it secured the top mark for Western NSW, though despite this leaning towards art I instead pursued the "sensible" option studying business at uni. No regrets as I made my dearest friends, but isn't it funny how things come full circle and plonk us firmly where we should be, if we're open to it. A forced path doesn't work, but it's incredible what pops up when we open hearts and minds to the natural unfolding.
So loved seeing you all @mareeglasson xxoo