by Susan Irving

Is gardening considered an artistic creation? If so, here are some photos of my gardens that I have been slavishly weeding and tending since the beginning of spring, in an attempt to create something beautiful.

I created these gardens myself over the years from places overgrown with weeds, bracken, lots of rocks  and downed trees. It has been a lot of hard work and I have lost some perennials over the years, as I did not know a lot about gardening when I started out. Sometimes  I pulled out what I thought were weeds, but turned out to be sprouting delphiniums, lovely fennels and other beautiful perennials. Fortunately I have received not only much welcome advice but also donations of  beautiful plants from people who are far more knowledgeable and with much more experience than I.  

 I also enjoy decorating my gardens with fun and quirky things, such as interesting pieces of wood or rock , things salvaged from the dump, thrift store finds, store-bought things etc. 

I paint  faces on rocks, sometimes portraits of rock stars for the “rock” garden, but other kinds of faces too,  and place them here and there for an element of surprise.  I have been inspired by such gardens as Rideau Ramble and Kiwi Gardens near Perth.

Collectif members, share your creative impulses! Send JPG image(s) of your work/play to cagac.ca@gmail.com . Include up to 100 words per image describing what you did, materials used, inspiration, etc. Maybe share how/if creativity affects your life. Please include size (height by width), title & media.  

Writers – we really want to hear from you too! Send us poetry, lyrics, an excerpt. Please try to include an illustration of some sort. 

Give us informative, inspiring Show & Tell demonstrating the creative mind.