Artful Alternatives

Summer in the Northeast is not all that long and I try to make the most of the time I have in my garden. Every year I am inspired by different colors, new varieties of flowers and my old standbys.

This year I have hung my Honey Bee on a garden wall that lets you peek at it between Morning Glories and Day Lilies. In Colonial days the honeybee was a symbol of FRIENDSHIP. I painted this piece in 1981 with outdoor enamel paint. It has withstood wind, rain, snow, and all seasons on the North side of my home. It was designed and painted with Friendship in mind and I invite you to paint one with Friendship in mind.

Several years ago I also designed and painted this windsock that hangs over my terraced gardens. It is painted with silk paints, a fun medium, that allows you to let the paint take you where it wants. I also used these windsock designs for small banners that can hang on a door, a porch or entranceway.

I love to use painted items in my gardens. I seem to look for different colors and ways to tuck them amongst the flowers so people are a little surprised when they get a glimpse of one and automatically look for more.

I have tucked this terra cotta painted birdhouse between some similar yellow-orange flowers. The birdhouse is sitting on a rock I brought home from Sedona after the SDP Convention in Phoenix.

Arlene