Apartment Green Space

One of the drawbacks to living in an apartment is a reduced amount of garden space. Enter GreenWallNL and these unique and interesting living wall sculptures.

Based on the larger Vertical Garden designs by Patrick Blanc that are appearing around the world, the Netherlands based designer built her own small scale version in her living room and began experimenting with different plant types, water levels and required lighting. After much positive feedback from friends and family as well as being featured on HGTV, she decided to create DIY kits for people to build their own at home.

The wooden black frame comes ready to be planted. Instructions are included with the kit. Choose you own plants from your local garden store (suggested plants include ferns, ivy, and asparagus . . . but it's up to you - as long as the roots don't grow too deep). The frame is easy to water from the backside; just remove the frame from the wall and add a tiny bit of water when needed. The bottom of the frame is made watertight, but to be safe keep the frame down from the wall for half an hour to ensure no water spills.

These would look great hung in a series of three or four, staggered and in various sizes. Or, switch them around from time to time to keep it interesting. Sort of an interactive living art work sculpture.

Wooden Wings by Jason Tennant

I’m not a fan of hanging antlers or stuffed large mouth bass on the walls of my home. It’s just not my thing. I’m also not a huge fan of Native American art, with the exception of British Columbia’s own late Bill Reid.

However, that being said there is an amazing grace and beauty to these wood carvings by Jason Tennant. While I reallize they are indeed complicated and well thought out with great attention to the details within the wood, it is this exact focus on the natural elements that lends to the elegance and almost simplistic grace of these pieces of art.

Jason Tennant received his BFA from Indian University of Pennsylvania and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in sculpture and a minor in drawing. He then went on to a full teaching gig in 3-D design at the University of Buffalo in addition to travelling through South America. He now holds a MFA from the State University of New York at Buffalo as well as a Art Teacher Certification.

Mr. Tennant has been featured in many art gallery and museums throughout the state of New York and his sculptures have made their way into several private collections. He currently is the creative force behind From Waters and Woods, a series od sculptures and paintings that represent plants and animals native to North American woodlands and waters.

Mr. Tennant also has a selection of art pieces available for purchase under his shop jasontennant on one of my favorite websites, Etsy.

Joseph Clay Arts

I met Joseph Chiang (Jospeh Clay Arts) several years ago when we where placed side-by-side at the St. Thomas Moore craft fair. I was amazed at how intricate and detailed his porcelain pieces were. For example, when he created a mug or a display vase, he included a tiny, perfect ladybug on the handle or on the edge of the vessel. So perfect was the little bug that I had the urge to try and remove it and set it free outside. Ladybugs are his signature, and are added to pieces which represent luck.

Each of his pieces is hand made and a one of a kind design. He uses high-quality porcelain clay and most of the pieces are wheel-thrown with unique shapes. They are waterproof and safe for use. All the pieces are exclusively made with different designs and glaze techniques. After several firing processes and after going through a thorough and careful selection, only the pieces of his highest quality are made available for purchase.

Joseph’s designs and works of art have garnered him a long list of international awards. He was selected for the 2008 Olympic Landscape Sculpture Design. He has won awards in exhibitions in South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, Italy, China, Macau and Canada.

Joseph can be found displaying his creations most weekends at the Granville Island Public Market, and at the Circle Craft Christmas Market each year in Vancouver.