Cracked Pots
Anne Jaeger
Portland is such a hot bed for garden artists like Gina Nash. A tin can isn’t just a tin can in her hands. In a flash of light, blue hot from her blow torch, Nash transforms one soup can after another into shades for string lights which will fetch about $70 from willing buyers. A one pound coffee can becomes a candle holder where cut outs of dragon flies and curly cues send shadows flickering on the walls.
A tin can here, a tin can there and before you know it, Nash bought herself a new home near Mt. Tabor. There are an amazing number of artist out there actually making a living selling recycled garden art. Most belong to a group called “Crackedpots.” To Nash, recycled garden art “is another way to put your personality and taste” into your yard. Yes, you’ve heard it before, Nash turns trash into treasures. And she’s not alone. 60 of them are showing their wares at a garden art show today and tomorrow until 8 p.m. at McMenamins 2126 SW Halsey in Troutdale. Then, “Crackedpots” collects 20% of the profits to teach people about the joys of recycling, art or not.
Obviously, these artists have a thing about using things more than once. Although, Nash takes artistic license with perception saying “I’m allowing people to see things new ways, through a more whimsical eye.” Not to mention the reaction Nash gets when she’s dumpster diving for future objets d’art. Nash finds herself raking though the debris and thinking to herself “This is kind of crazy. What other people are putting in, I’m taking out.” Next thing you know, bystanders become participants charmed by what Nash is doing and help her pick out cans she’s diving for. Crackpots pride themselves on finding junk for free, keeping it out of the landfill and then tweaking it until we fall in love with it and have to have it. Now, who’s the crack pot?
What ever your taste in garden art, there are a few things I’ve learned the hard way about finding the right place for what you bring home.
Garden Art Guidelines:
*Set the scene. Step back and look at the garden area or room as a scene. Use no more than one big piece of art (a bench and pots) in each scene.
*Set the mood. Try to match the attitude, mood or style of your garden. Find a theme and stick with it. (I’m still working on this one.)
*Place your pearls. Remember that too much is too much. Treat garden art as jewelry, too much is tacky and confusing.
*Trust your instincts. If that piece you just loved doesn’t look natural in the “perfect” spot, keep moving it until it does. Experiment.
So, even if the only artwork you own is a picture of a coupla canine’s playing cards and smoking cigars you’ve stumbled upon the fundamental connection between humans and art; it makes us feel good. Garden art is the same. Buy it, enjoy it or pass it on.
To Do List:
*Petunia’s and geraniums eaten to high heaven? The tobacco budworm is out in full force now. Spray or powder with Bt, available at garden centers.
*Flowers fading? Try planting flowers that bloom this time of year; Japanese anemone, pink turtlehead, dahlias and asters add color until frost.
*Pick peas from the vegetable garden before they turn to a lighter color of green. That change signals the sugary peas have turned to starch.
