Crowe Garden Design - Bespoke Garden Design In Essex

It was probably not the first time, it most definitely will not be the last time, but an artist in residence during the show for our show garden gave an added dimension to our exhibit. The word for the project had been 'verisimilitude' and what better way to demonstrate the mood and function of the garden than by having someone painting within it.

 

I had met Flavia Stone a few months before and been impressed with her work. She was self-taught, being the daughter of Royal portrait artist Richard Stone, it must have been in the genes. We decided on the idea that she would paint a couple of botanical portaits of plants within the garden during the show. The plants chosen were the Iris 'Jane Philips' and the Sisyrinchium striatum.

 

Over the course of the show her prescence was a huge benefit, people could see and understand how the Sun Chariot worked, they could grasp the concept with the view rather than having to read a leaflet or have it explained. (This is not to say that the leaflet was not detailed and three garden designers spent many a moment explaining in detail to those interested enough to ask.)

 

The sponsor (DHL logisitics) had representatives with us all week and the team grew for that period as we manned the stand handing out leaflets, cards, bags and the handy rain mac. The public, the audience of this little piece of theatre, were hugely appreciative as were the numerous friends, colleagues and family that came to say hello. 

 

(After the show the paintings were exhibited at the Little Bentley waterways and garden show, outside Colchester in Essex.)