My dad always said I had a green thumb but at the time, I thought that was just his ploy to increase my enthusiasm in dispersing seeds in his very large vegetable garden. I loved spending time with my dad and helping him in a hobby that he was very passionate about but I can’t say I shared the same passion for vegetable gardening.
When my husband and I bought our first house on an undeveloped one acre lot in the country, I was faced with the task of landscaping. I had no knowledge or interest in plants and flowers. Luckily, two good friends of my mom’s were avid gardeners and took on the chore of introducing me to the gardening world. I was intimidated at first, worried that I wasn’t planting in the right spot or the right depth but realized in a short time that as with anything else, it is all trial and error and nothing is permanent. In no time, I amazed myself that I could recognize plants, rhyme off their names fluently and was able to create a pretty outdoor space that our empty lot really needed.
Each year I got more and more engrossed in the gardening hobby. It never seemed overwhelming or like hard work. In fact quite the opposite. I got lost in the creativity and visual reward and found it extremely therapeutic and relaxing. Often, my husband would bring my lunch out to me because he know I wouldn’t stop for it!
My passion for gardening is what sparked my interest in creating sculptures. I put our old family plough in one of the gardens with some hanging baskets and I loved the rustic blend with the flowers. It added some interested and created a conversation piece.
My first creation was the blue heron in honour of my mom who used to love to do “walkabouts” among my gardens. She was thrilled when she was able to catch sight of a blue heron nesting in the bullrushes.
When we moved from our first house, I was sad to leave my gardens behind but excited to start new ones on another clean slate. It has been quite a challenge dealing with the rocky soil in Bobcaygeon but I haven’t lost my passion. When I’m working at my studio and a sculpture just isn’t coming together, I abandon it for a little “garden therapy” and then I am ready to face the challenge again!
Visit Sandy’s work at the Station Gallery. She will be in the gallery next on the 5th & 11th of July.
My workspace consists of a 8′ x 2′ workbench with a vice mounted on it and a welder and plasma cutter by my side. Add a grinder, some vice grips, a wire brush and emery cloth and that completes all the tools I need to make my sculptures! Surprising that so little tools and some brute strength on my part can create such hefty garden art pieces!
I am really enjoying my new workspace. Having worked in many environments, I have had some time to think about an ideal setup and this is it. I’m enjoying the outdoors while I work. What more can you ask for? My “Rockhound Reg” is usually in a shaded spot by my side and occasionally my workbench is put to a different use, a good shave to cool him off!
