Cornell Plantations Botanical Garden Tour

This evening, I gave a tour of the Botanical Garden for the Cortland Garden Club.  With a light mist to start the tour, it ended with a rainbow.  The Brian Nevin Welcome Center was closed this evening, but is open during the week other than Mondays.

We toured through the Container Garden, the Ground Cover gardens, talked about the Rhododendron garden that blooms in May, discussed the giant Magnolia that is unique to this climate, then moved into the herb garden with 17 different sub gardens.  On to the Young Garden that focuses on plants and our senses and celebrations. We finished in the Winter Garden with its huge millstone. While there, we talked about the Heritage Garden and the Barbara McClintock shed and her research. One hour went quickly!

Here are some photos I took prior to the arrival of the club members.

Lotus after the rain

The lotus season changes by the day.  Many more pods showing and some turning the typical brown.  The end of July was probably the peak and now the numbers are diminishing.  The quality of the flower remains gorgeous.  I picked one, with great difficulty and slipping into the muck, and brought it inside for a photo shoot with the black background.

I do enjoy this approach!

Six Mile Creek Watershed Celebration

Last night was the opening for the Year in the Life of Six Mile Creek Project.  There was music, slide shows, art and the display of the banners I designed for the event. The banners are tightly attached to the light poles along Six Mile Creek behind the Library in Ithaca, NY.  This is an extended project that will include hikes up the watershed, poetry, music, and connections with schools and communities.

I would be interested in designing similar banners for other communities, so please let me know if you have any suggestions. The banners here are artistic interpretations of plants that live near the watershed and include the Jack In the Pulpit, Trillium, Marsh Marigold, Hellebore, and Bloodroot.

Also pictured here are creek views behind the Library and other buildings on Green Street in Ithaca, people who gathered for the event, and a map of the watersheds in this area.

Macro on Black

Each new flower that emerges for the season has potential for photographic artistry, especially with the black background.  I think this is a very effective way to show the beauty of the aromatic lily, hydrangea, and the gladiolus.  What do you think?

Artists Market in Ithaca

Last Friday was the Ithaca Artists Market, held at the Farmers Market on the inlet.  Over 50 artists shows their work and the attendance seemed very good.  My art tiles were a big hit as people envisioned them for hot plates, coasters, trays, mosaics, and back splashes in the kitchen and bath.  Lots of possibilities.

The rest of the display here includes framed and unframed photo montages on paper and canvas.

On Saturday, my gardens were part of the Pond Tour in this area sponsored by Totalily in Spencer, NY. Pond enthusiasts wandered through the gardens for 4 hours and also bought some of the artwork on display as shown in the last picture below.

Busy weekend, for sure!