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

Things always look better when viewed through a ga

Things always look better when viewed through a gauzy veil of plants. It's nature's filter. Perhaps it's why I'm often lurking in the garden beds, apologising to the bees and trying not to trample plants. Now that everything is turning seedy I emerge with seeds stuck to clothes, like a sheep collecting burrs. Clever things those sticky seeds, opportunistically hitching a ride to travel the garden and put down roots elsewhere.
I've been thinking this week about putting down garden roots, and the daunting task that is beginning with an empty plot. Upon seeing me staring at blank paper, an art teacher once told me to "just make a mark". For some reason one little brush on an empty space gets things rolling. So too with the garden. One bed soon becomes two, three...and one plant too becomes many. The beds in the foreground of these images are young, gradually filling in through plant division and self seeding...the desired not invasive kind. It's slow and budget friendly gardening, the best kind.
So hop on board little seeds, let's see where the adventure takes us next!

Fungi, a world where growth comes from decay, and

Fungi, a world where growth comes from decay, and opportunity from decline. Endlessly fascinating to study and to represent in paper.

You've probably met him already, but this is Hugo

You've probably met him already, but this is Hugo, Could we get ever tire of that beautiful face? He's an old soul, loves to collect stuff (ie he's a hoarder), picks snow peas so gently between his front teeth, and wriggles in pure pleasure when we have guests. He LOVES having visitors, he's even excited when the man comes to read the electricity meter...hmmm, unlike his human housemates. He's just like Doug in the movie "Up'..."I don't know you but I love you". Pure unconditional love, a soft and gentle soul. and my studio friend. You never know where he'll pop up...stay tuned.
Do you have a Hugo (or equivalent) to share your days? I hope so, do tell! ♡♡♡

At times I can't help but feel envious of fellow a

At times I can't help but feel envious of fellow artists who so cleverly, fluidly and freely produce bold and beautiful wall-filling statement works.
Here the process is slow. Time consuming, intense and meticulous. By the end of a studio day I'm bent like a question mark, and by the end of a week I have a piece the size of a postage stamp (well, nearly), to show for many hours of eye straining attention.
As a dear friend and fellow artist @sculpturesbypeter once said to me, " you are not running a sausage factory"... indeed he's right, churning artworks out is not an option. Just like the garden, my work is as much about the process and the storytelling as the product itself, so I feel tremendous gratitude to everyone who connects with the story and understands the commitment behind each piece. Thankyou.

I'm off auto, though still playing with my new cam

I'm off auto, though still playing with my new camera trying to work out how to make it focus on the things I choose, rather than the things it wants to. It's quite an opinionated camera it seems. I'm doing my best to show it who's boss.
So, once again to indulge my happy snapping, here's some garden spam, this time of the front terrace this week. Salvia Indigo Spires, Silver Ghost roses, Japanese windflowers and plenty of seaside daisies are flowering, plus there's a Lollipop dog peeking from behind the buxus balls. Can you see her? Perhaps she's scared of my camera induced frustrated feet stomping. Poor love.

Fungi, moss, lichen and beetles...dwelling in a pa

Fungi, moss, lichen and beetles...dwelling in a papery undergrowth. The collection for the fungi exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney @rbgsydney is growing!

The Carex "Brunette" is rocking sumptuous long gin

The Carex "Brunette" is rocking sumptuous long ginger tresses this season. It's such a great grass - tough through the drought, frost hardy, a handy mid size and so lovely with the blues and purples of fellow garden friends. I love the little Carex Frosted Curls too (2nd photo bottom left), with silvery swirls of fine foliage.
Perhaps oddly, the Brunette Carex reminds me of my 2nd grade teacher. I adored her. It was the late 70s Dancing Queen era, and she had the most glorious hip length auburn hair. Her name so appropriately was Miss Star, and she was beautiful. I've often wondered what happened to her, she was probably barely 21 at the time. Miss Star, if you're out there, you are fondly remembered!