Pooktre Tree Shaping and the Art of Patience

This unique artform called Pooktre is one of whimsy and patience. A true example of humanity vs. nature or even more specifically a beautiful result of the the attempt to control nature over time.

Wikipedia describes Pooktre / Tree Shaping as the following:
"Tree shaping (also known as Pooktre, arborsculpture, tree training, and by several other alternative names) is the practice of training living trees and other woody plants into artistic shapes and useful structures. There are a few different methods of achieving a shaped tree, which share a common heritage with other artistic horticultural and agricultural practices, such as pleaching, bonsai, espalier, and topiary, and employing some similar techniques. Most artists use grafting to deliberately induce the inosculation of living trunks, branches, and roots, into artistic designs or functional structures. To achieve these art forms, many different tree species have been used, but some trees are better suited than others."

http://homebuilding.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/02/pooktre_tree_shapers.php

Glass in the Landscape

Many have seen stained glass inside the home environment, but what about outside? Why not integrate stained glass art and concepts into the great outdoors. Much like sculpture, why not bring the creative art of stained glass into the landscape and more specifically - into our gardens?

Photo by Draftroots, Stained Glass by Karen Gingrich

Sculpture Forest: Haliburton, Ontario, Canada

The Sculpture Forest in Haliburton Ontario is one of variety and surprise. Each sculpture features the work of a different artist. Located in Glebe Park, on the edge of Haliburton village, the Sculpture Forest shares the Park with the Haliburton Highlands Museum, Fleming College's Haliburton School of the Arts, Haliburton Nordic Trails and Haliburton Highlands Mountain Bike Trails. The natural landscape takes on new forms as one walks through a sculture forest / sculture garden. The natural forest elements start to look like scultures as well, as the created forms play tricks with your mind. One can see new beauty in nature when it is juxtaposed with art, and the distinction blurs as nature itself becomes the art.

"Guardians of the Forest" - Brett Davis (Bronze - 2004)

"A Conspiracy of Ravens" - John Mckinnon (Fabricated Welded Steel - 2012)

"Beaver" - Art Students of Haliburton Highlands Secondary School - 2002)

"Sleep of the Huntress" - Doug Stephens (Granite - 2004)

"Moose Scraps" - Leo Sepa (Found Vintage Farm Scraps - 2001)

"C to C" John Shaw-Rimmington (Stacked Dry Stone - 2007)

"Curled Figures" - Susan Low-Beer (Concrete Figures - 2003)

"Redwing Frond" - Darlene Bolahood (Steel & Acrylic Panels - 2003) All Photos by Draftroots

Artist Feature: Isaiah Zagar

Isaiah Zagar is a Mosiac Artist in Philadelphia

Bees: Nesting Boxes Pt.2

Here is a short video on making your own nesting box. Quick and easy. Don't let the simplicity keep your creativity at bay. Use this as a starting point for perhaps a more colourful or creative focal point or feature in the garden.

Sudbury's Delki Dozzi Park "Learning Shed" Design Competition

Draftroots has entered a community design competition! Ward 1 in Sudbury has requested submissions for the 2012 "Learning Shed" design competition. The following entry is by Draftroots Design.

Click the following link to view other entries.
http://www.facebook.com/ward1garden