Artists In The Garden XIII: Judy Beck Lobos of The Adventures of a Gardening Artist

Today's interview will be with Judy Beck Lobos of Judybec.
"The Adventures of a Gardening Artist - my oobos" at http://oobos.blogspot.com/

1. What is your art, hobby or craft? How did you come to creating it?

My art centers around my garden and nature in general.
I started painting with watercolor because I love to sketch and watercolor is a non-toxic way for me to quickly add color to my drawings. I've become a fan of sumi-e painting -- the Asian brush stroke that captures a moment in time appeals to me.

"Birds and Bamboo" 11"x15" watercolor on paper
copyright 2009 by Judy Beck Lobos

2. Where do you find your inspiration?

I love watching the birds. I took this photo through my kitchen window this summer. It's a great spot to take pictures because the birds don't even know I'm there. I've put up a feeder this fall so I can watch them all year long. I thrive on watching things grow and change.

3. How does your garden or nature influence your art?

The changing of the seasons are a huge influence on my art. I tend to notice the passage of time more poignantly during the autumn. I like this quote by Andrew Wyeth about winter:

"Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show. "

In winter, the idea that we don't see everything is appealing. Although, personally I am much more a fan of springtime!

4. Will you share a picture of your garden with us?

Sure! My garden is on a south facing hill. I used to get loads of sun but, the pine tree at the bottom of the hill is getting larger - It's been shading more and more of my garden every year. Everything changes doesn't it --
These photos were taken in early summer from our 2nd floor deck.

5. Will you share a picture or pictures of your favorite plant?

It's so difficult to pick just one special plant but, my Golden Willow tree (pictured below) -- the one I cut back every spring, is definitely a favorite.



I use these branches, along with my Concord Grapevine and Red Twig Dogwood to weave the twig ball sculptures I display in my garden. The cutting of the branches is called "Pollarding" and it allows this wonderful golden color in the new growth each year.

6. Do you have any photos of your art in the garden to share?

Here is "Tumblewood" , one of my twig sculptures. I make them in all sizes from 1" to this large one measuring 36" across. I'm thrilled to find a use for my trimmings and I'm thinking of experimenting with other shapes in the spring.

"Tumblewood" in the Summer

"Tumblewood" in the Winter

7. Do you have a favorite public garden to recommend?

Longwood Gardens, near Philadelphia, is a favorite of mine! They have a wonderful gift shop too.

http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

8. What is the best lesson you have learned from the garden or nature?

The lesson I've learned from my garden is that there is a place for everything and I enjoy trying to find the best place for each plant to thrive. I've expanded my garden by taking castoff plants from neighbors. One of my neighbors admired a bush that I recently moved to the end of our driveway. I loved telling her that she had been planning to throw that bush away several years ago! All I did was trim it up and give it room to grow.

9. Do you have a gardening tip to share with fellow gardeners?

Compost everything you can! I've always had a compost pile for garden waste but I've recently begun composting all the organic waste from our kitchen - coffee grounds, egg shells, fruit and veggie waste, even cardboard. It's amazing to see all the earthworms living in the pile everytime I turn the soil.

10. Are you creating anything new that you'd like to share with us?

I've put a container of lettuce on our south facing deck this fall -- it's almost December and I've got a delicious, crisp salad right outside my door.

11. Show us your favorite item in your etsy shop.

I recently opened an etsy shop for my Asian brush bird paintings. Here's one of my favorites:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35133409

12. Show a favorite garden or nature related item from another etsy shop.

I really love this beautiful bird's nest necklace from Aunt Batty's Closet!

Nest of hope pendant with fresh water pearl eggs:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34819180

Judy, Thank you for sharing your art, inspiration and garden with us today!