I've known Judi for several years now, since she had me make some fused glass for some of her work. Her style has changed since then and she no longer uses glass. Fortunately our friendship has continued and I get to see her beautiful garden and gorgeous work occasionally. See previous posts here. Here are some shots from our most recent visit a few weeks ago:
I never tire of looking at these bursts of color. Each one is unique and contains lots of surprises to discover.
Kalmia latifolia is beautiful in bloom but even more spectacular in bud!
Judi's deciduous azaleas were in full and fragrant bloom, an olfactory treat I hadn't experienced in her garden before. It was tempting to simply stay here and become intoxicated by the fragrance but there was so much more to see!
A sphere by James King. This is where I stole the idea was inspired to emulate the effect.
One of Judi's new pieces of bling that she calls Pinky. It's placed so that she can see it from inside her house.
Judi and her assistant pose with Pinky.
You may remember some of these pieces from previous posts. Seeing them always thrills me.
Her creatures are way cool!
This one was a gift and made by someone else. Isn't it sweet?
Doesn't every garden need one of these?
Raw materials. I'd no idea that these are now in high demand by collectors. I still have quite a few of them found at thrift stores for five bucks a bunch. Some colors are so unusual that people are bidding hundreds of dollars for a bunch. Really? It's resin folks. (Retro resin!) Thinking that we certainly have the technology to make these things in modern times, I found this you tube instructional video. I'm seeing a fun craft for summer! Written directions here.
Candy! Well at least eye candy.
New little guy in progress.
Will it pass inspection by the assistant?
Aren't they cool? They can be used as ornamental mulch for potted plants.
Thank you, Judi, for another fun visit and for the gorgeous gift! Wasn't it nice of Tom to dress to match? (Photo by Judi Hook and used with her permission.)
Happy weekend everyone!
I love the critters, I don't remember seeing those before! Especially the one with the wings, who looks like he's using a jackhammer. She is one clever artist. I didn't realize she used those resign grape clusters for her work.
ReplyDeleteThe critters are cool. Judi is always coming up with some new idea! Resin grapes make up most of the colorful spheres on the allium seed heads on steriods/sunburst pieces.
DeleteI have a retro grape cluster that is Italian glass, probably 50 years old. I think what I need is an artist to ferret out all my treasures and turn them into great garden art. Maybe I could just make little wire baskets and wood boxes and display the raw materials, which looked pretty nifty in your photos.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of displaying raw materials as they do look interesting on their own!
DeleteI seem to remember a winter post of this garden, where the art lit up a semi bare borders. A different and magnificent look in late spring; the "seed heads" seem to be getting more elaborate. Could they have been inspired by the Kalmia buds?
ReplyDeleteGood memory Chava! I'm always surprised by how much larger and more elaborate the seed heads become each time I visit! They certainly could have been inspired by the Kalmia buds as Judi has quite a few of them in her garden!
DeleteValuable information ..I am delighted to read this article..thank you for giving us this useful information. Great walk-through. I value this post.
ReplyDeleteThe "blues" are MY favorites. So, now that she's no longer doing glass, has she moved to metals? Thanks for featuring her again!
ReplyDeleteWe share the love of blue! She incorporated glass into her metal work early on but most of the color in Judi's work comes from plastic beads, glass blobs, and of course the resin grapes. She continues to utilize whatever medium strikes her fancy.
DeleteJudi has a beautiful garden and she does a great job in placing her prices to highlight it, as well as the pieces themselves. I love the starburst flowers attached to driftwood. Tell her she needs to market her pieces in southern California!
ReplyDeleteJudi is trying to work out a way to make her pieces more easily transported. Right now they're a bit fragile for packaging/mailing. When you come up for your extended PNW vacation/ buying spree, we'll go to Judi's place and we can pack some into your truck!
DeleteAlways a treat to see the fantastical pieces Judi creates.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed them!
DeleteI think Judy is a talented woman, Pinky is wonderful, Peter.
ReplyDeleteI love her garden especially yellow azaleas.
I agree. Those azaleas smell so wonderful! Happy weekend, dear Nadezda.
DeleteI love the creatures! Too funny how people are clamoring over balls of resin.
ReplyDeleteThe creatures are fun! You're right, fads come and go and right now, sixties and seventies stuff is hot. Although when used this way, they catch the sunlight and glow beautifully.
DeleteOh, that was a fun post. What great garden art.
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine how much fun you had with this visit Peter :))
ReplyDeleteA visit with Judi is always fun!
DeleteShe is very talented indeed!
ReplyDeleteOn the thrift shop patrol for retro resin grapes now!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!
DeleteHow creative Judy is. Her garden is superb, and the 'bling' a joy to behold. It would be such fun to decorate our gardens with art like this.
ReplyDeleteShe is very creative and is constantly coming up with new designs and styles of work. I love the bling and am fortunate to be able to enjoy some of her work in my own jungle. It would be a bit of a commute for you to come and purchase her art! Her garden is wonderful and has great evergreen structure and interest year round.
DeleteWow, it seems like she is a very talented woman! the garden is full of colour!!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed.
DeleteI'm also now in love with Judi's art! I'm new to the PNW. How can I get my hands on one of her pieces? Does she have a website or exhibit regularly anywhere (like a farmer's market)? Suddenly my garden feels terribly under-dressed.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna and welcome to the PNW! I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do! Judi doesn't have a website but is happy to have you call her at 253 847 2937 to discuss how to obtain existing work or commission something new.
DeleteI especially like the spiky things with the balls caught in them (photo #8612) and the graphic look of the budding Kalmia. What a happy place.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a happy place full of dogs, horses, swallows nesting all over the barn, and fun yard art!
DeleteI suspect my mother simply tossed out her set of amber "grapes" mounted on a piece of driftwood. Too bad.
ReplyDeleteWho knew that they'd have such a comeback? Luckily, I still have a nice collection from when I bought them for nearly nothing at thrift stores and hung them on a rusty metal grid to make an outdoor screen.
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