Scrap Makes it to Brunch....

Took a bit of scrap steel that my buddy and I created which added some interest to Sunday brunch....

A Leaf's Moment as Metal

Continuing the thread of incorporation of metals with floral design, I was recently asked to 'mimic' Chlorophytum comosum which we commonly know as spider plant. A spider plant and Dendrobium orchid island adornes the black pond of the Tropical Terrance here at Longwood.  I acquired a few scrap pieces of aluminum, cut into long slender shapes, and gave them a brushed look that is both clean and modern.  A great way to brighten up the space with something delicious and unusual without distraction....below are some images from start to finish. 

the finished piece

several pieces make up the design

               the 'brushed' look

holes drilled/90 degree angles formed

attached with one common wood screw

pieces of aluminum become a leafy reality

Longwood Splendour

Happy New Year! A little late posting.  Included in this post are images of from Longwood's Professional Gardener grad dinner as well as an Xmas display for a tree in the Longwood's Cascade Garden.  Amongst the moving boxes, visits from family, and loosening up tight ends, I managed to teach one final last time. Amazing to take the ideas from the brain and paper, and allow my class to execute the designs with their own creative twists!   The results were fabulous and funky!.....enjoy the glitter, seed heads, spanish moss, cranberries, cymbidium orchids, echeveria, and amaryllis!

                                                                          

...The Season Speaks

So the final weeks at Longwood Gardens are upon me.  Graduation is coming up during this holiday season. It will be sad to go, but I am ready for the journey that awaits.  The next couple of images are of designs for our graduation dinner with the spirit of the holidays in mind. Above is my workspace 'madness' (currently my dining room table...sorry housemates!) Twigs, stars, seed heads, wire, yarn, you name it... The designs will be executed by our class and displayed on various tables (dining and buffet).  I wanted the overall feel to be elegant, classic, and a bit of holiday tradition with a fresh and funky twist. More pics to follow....

Miscanthus buffet arrangement

     cozy additions

various table arrangements/candle options

Acceptance from the Landscape

I was able to spend a bit of time recently and give the metal structure some life, some breath.  My first attempt was in the bitter cold and wind (very difficult to plant and photograph...Ughh!)... I managed to just step away for a few days, come back when the weather was much more agreeable and was able to grab a few nice shots. First, in a modern setting with a curved steel wall with a mesh opening...then I recruited my friend David, and we loaded up the pod and headed for a more natural setting,...an old abandoned tobacco factory about 15 minutes away. This was the perfect backdrop of nature consuming industry. Old brick and stone walls toppled amongst bittersweet vine and butterflyweed. The pod finds a home! 

              triggering life upon a once desolate spot

resting in the landscape

various seed heads, arborvitae wrapped with wire, sticks and sedge

A Pod for All Seasons

What a better way to leave your mark in the landscape.  Wrapping up my last semester before graduation is taking its toll, ....HOWEVER...I still have managed to create and finish what I started.  About 2 months ago, I began sketching out designs for a 'pod-like' structure.  I wanted to really mimic nature in a way, capturing the not only the shape of what comes from Mother Earth, but also....allowing Mother to take charge of it when I am long gone....

The basic design is welded steel in many different forms. Within this design, you will see steel diamond plate, expanded steel, and steel rebar.....All manipulated and shaped to recreate the curves, cracks, bumps, and nicks that one might see occuring naturally due to weather and decay.

...the 'pod' form

steel diamond plate base

templates created out of cardboard....then trasferred to expanded metal

detail of welded supports

chainlink created out of rebar

manipulation of expanded metal really allowed for natural shapes

'tough guy' making it happen

...by adding patches of moss, the piece becomes a bit more approachable, giving it a sense of life in the landscape.....I like the idea of giving back...

As you can see, the structure is not fully completed yet. So far, The metals are all in place, however the final step will be actually planting it and giving it breath.  Within the next week, this metal 'pod' will be softened by adding, moss, flowers and seed heads. Photographs to follow...stay tuned.....

The (re) Purpose of Metals

So, I spent the past week creating and designing.  I wanted to continue the process of incorporating metals with floral design.  I started sketching (important process for me), and then took a trip to metal recycling.  Call it  repurposing, reusing...dumpster-diving!!, I was able to retrieve some scrap pieces of aluminum and stainless steel that I had HUGE plans for!!!!...below is the process....

combination recycled steel/floral design
stainless steel base/design close-up

 the process/ stainless steel (welded supports)

finished structure (ready to plant)

scrap aluminum base

holes drilled/ready for planting

finished design: water tubes added

additional design

3rd aluminum scrap design (Amaranthus/Dahlia)