Cultivating Soulful Gardens

Happy Fall in the Garden and The Road Not Taken

2011-09-23T17:44:00.000-04:00

Happy Fall in the Garden!

Autumn Pathway painting by Gail M. Allen

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

"Grow what you love.  The love will keep it growing."   by Emilie Barnes

Gardening is part of your soul. Like music, dance and painting, it is your soul's innermost expression. This spring as my gardens flourished, the rains brought a new crop of invaders. Weeds like we have never before seen … not just wildflowers that had seeded, but strange deadly weeds which began to take over and get ahead of our maintanence capabilities. One of those weeds has spiny thorn-like barbs that turn your skin burning, hot, itchy and very red - somewhat like the feeling in your mouth when you are eating a habanero chile pepper.

Usually I can tell what my soul is needing by the wildflowers that appear all around our home. An old sage of a gardening friend once told me that the herbs and wildflowers that are invading our gardens are exactly the homeopathic remedies we need for the maladies in our lives. If we pay attention to this, we can resolve the innate issues we are dealing with at the time.

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."
Luther Burbank

I was too busy to notice, but the signs were there. The symptoms of Lyme Disease were once again beginning their assault on my body, as I battled the weeds and otherwise stayed busy with my painting and family commitments - too busy to pay attention to my own body's invaders.

Before long there was no avoiding it, the symptoms had taken hold and done their damage. I began the long road of fighting this horrendous disease once again. We decided no matter what the outcome, it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream, to help nourish all of our souls during these crazy times. And so our family embarked on a long awaited vacation to the West Coast and Yosemite National Park during this past summer - a trip I have always held dear to my heart. It was beautiful, breathtaking and regenerating. At times, I could only walk with my cane, but in the end we had all had a wonderful time!

Although this summer I did not get to write much on this blog, I did want to take the time to mention that a garden, like our own body, is usually able to regenerate after neglect, even when you need to let it go for awhile. And then again, there is a larger, more beautiful garden we all share that surrounds us in our cities, parks, and countryside that we can get the same soulful fulfillment from, on a daily basis - if we simply open our hearts and eyes to the beauty of the natural gardens nature has given us, which we interact with daily.

Anyone's life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit.
Lilly Langtry

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.

Louisa May Alcott

May you have a great Fall season in your garden…

A Summer's Garden Walk...

2011-07-15T18:39:00.002-04:00

Let's take a walk ... through Beaver Brook's Summer Garden,

It is in full bloom.

The arbor leads into the herb garden.

may my heart always be open to little
birds who are the secrets of living
whatever they sing is better than to know
and if men should not hear them men are old
may my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
and even if it's sunday may i be wrong
for whenever men are right they are not young
and may myself do nothing usefully
and love yourself so more than truly
there's never been quite such a fool who could fail
pulling all the sky over him with one smile

~ e.e. cummings ~

(Complete Poems 1904-1962)

Clematis in bloom.

Echinacea (Cone Flower)

Roses

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns,

 or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.

~ Abraham Lincoln

The Rock Garden

The Welcome Garden

Gardening is the art
that uses flowers
and plants as paint,

and the soil and sky as canvas.

~ Elizabeth Murray

June...A Little Breathing Time In the Garden

2011-06-06T13:45:00.000-04:00

Around here, June is a great month in the garden.
This is when it shows its glory, beauty and abundance; weeds and fungus have not taken over yet and usually there is enough rain for the lush greenery to make you feel like you live in a tropical area.(At least in this area.) Thus, June is a time for relaxing, breathing and enjoying the outcome of all your hard work from the previous year - cultivating the fruits your soul has to offer and bringing them inside to savor in your home. It is a time of taking a retrospective assessment of what you love and any possible changes you may want to make in your gardens for next year.

I awake, thinking of taking a soulful daily stroll through the gardens as the dogwoods, iris, peonies, roses, clematis and even some late blooming poppies burst into bloom. For me, although I have some breathing time from the gardening chores, it is a time to quickly set up my easel and do some daily sketches or plein air paintings of the gardens and take the photos of flowers which will sustain my studio work, through the long winter months in this area. Every few minutes it seems, I am reminded to take a deep breath, smelling the last of the sweet woodruff scent as it mixes with the rose perfume wafting on the light wind. I step away from my painting, and feel a new burst of creativity as my soul is rejuvenated. That is what deep breathing can do for us all. Soulfulness is taking the time to notice everything around you. It is keeping all of your senses aware of the beauty in everything you encounter.

Breath work is great for the soul....if you are doing it right. These days, so many of us are struggling just to make it through today and on to the next. The evening news can cause enough stress to make you hyperventilate, if you let it. Enter the garden...a place for quiet contemplation and relaxation, breathing space. Just a few highly scented plants, like jasmine or heliatrope, (a vanilla - cinnamon - fruit scent, noticeable in early morning and evening) in planters on a porch or balcony, can send intoxicating smells to apartments next door.

Years ago I had read a great book by author Nancy Zi. In it Nancy writes,
"Breathing
is our most important act --
we do it every moment of our lives, some 20,000 times each day. Breathing incorrectly can produce tension, exhaustion and vocal strain, and can interfere with athletic activity and encourage aches and illnesses. Breathing correctly, however, nourishes every fiber of our body and soul. Breathe correctly and you can melt away tension and stress, improve energy or simply relax and unwind."
Her book: The Art of Breathing may be found at: http://www.theartofbreathing.com/ .

During June, try to learn some of Nancy's Zi's techniques, or just practice slow, deep breathing and sensing all that is around you. Take a moment, each day, (even if only once a day), to stop and do some deep breathing outdoors - shutting out every other intrusion in your life. Listen, smell, feel the wind, stop and look for a new sight you have overlooked in your daily travels. It will change your life in one week. The second week, practice again daily, as you stroll through a garden - you will see things in a new light. If you are not near a garden, purchase some highly scented flowers place them in a relaxing spot in your home and practice the art of breathing near them.

Take advantage of June's gift to relax and breathe....it is a step toward cultivating and enhancing your soulful life.

Peonies

Yellow Rhododendron

Clematis

Pinwheel Mountain Laurel buds with Colorado Blue Spruce and Pineapple Mint variegated groundcover

The entrance

Honeysuckle vine about to burst into bloom

A perennial succulent planter

Otto ... The art of breathing.

A Memorial Day Tribute to Military Veterans and Their Families

2011-05-30T22:48:00.003-04:00

My Dad World War ll

Poppies always remind me of my dad, honoring those who fought for our freedom, as well their families who have given so very much and especially, the Memorial Day holiday. Whether in my garden, or the crepe paper kind you may purchase outside of stores that are usually being sold by Veterans around Memorial Day, they will always hold an endearing place in my heart. They will forever symbolize a remembrance to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price and sacrificed for our freedom.

At seventeen my dad joined the army to go fight in World War II. He worked in Bermuda on the railroad that is no longer there and then shipped out and fought in Europe; stationed there for years, when the announcement came that the war had ended. Although he told us a few things, he never really discussed the details of what he went through. Growing up, we would always watch old war movies with him, knowing it meant a lot to him that in some way, we had a small glimpse into understanding the hell that they experienced and the camaraderie of military life. He had terrible memories and nightmares that haunted him until his death in 2003. He had hurt himself a few times, during those nightmares of reliving diving into a bunker for safety, when incoming mortars were heading their way. Throughout his life, he had a special place in his heart for his fellow countrymen who he would see at the VFW and at the many reunions he attended. Every Christmas, cards came from people my sisters and I had never met, but we knew how dear they were to my dad, - these were from the families of these men who had served with him all those years ago. One by one, we were sent the news of their passing on.

Recently, my father in law was given the gift of going to view the World War II Veterans' Memorial in Washington, D. C. through a new program for veterans. It meant so much to him, as well as all of these veterans to finally be recognized. I am sure my dad would have loved it.

On this Memorial Day, please remember to pay tribute to those in our military services who have sacrificed so much for our freedom over the years, serving in many different wars. From now on, whenever you see a poppy may you be reminded of the young men and women who deserve our thanks and praise today, and everyday that we encounter them in our daily lives. Don't let an opportunity go by to honor, or personally thank them for the gift they have given us all - freedom.

The Garden as a Metaphor for Life

2011-05-18T17:23:00.001-04:00

The garden is a metaphor for life, and gardening is a symbol of the spiritual path."~ Larry Dossey

Full Moon by Gail Allen

Paying very close attention to who you are and what you are wanting is almost unheard of in these crazy, busy times we live in, but none – the - less is needed. as much, if not more so, than ever before. We are living in a new era where the world around us changing minute by minute, in unparalleled ways. The need to keep ourselves openly aware of the subtle intuitive realms within us and hold fear and loneliness at bay is a lofty goal, to say the least. Doing this will undoubtedly though, uphold the important evolution we are all experiencing.

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.

- Elizabeth Lawrence

Yakima Dwarf Rhododendron

This is spring in the garden, as we grow older. A yearly reminder of what we once knew - the magic that is there, if we pay attention. Chartreuse greens bright with wonder and an array of beautiful color bursting from blossoming trees, flowers and shrubs. Scents abounding; even the spring rains have an distinct smell to them. Nature is calling.

"All my hurts my garden spade can heal."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Grape Crab Apple

Japanese Maple,

The moods we have are not the important factors in our experience. Instead, how we interpret, deal with and express them, on our own very personal level, whether it be through writing, gardening, painting, building, sculpting, acting, decorating or through interaction by way of sports. Healing the wounds of the past comes from acknowledgment that whatever you are needing, be it solitude, a lovely place of romanticism in the garden, a tribute to a memory with a meditative spot, a magical garden or just a bright, joyful, playful garden to appease the child within you, - that the place you create is a place of comfort to your soul. It should feel soothing to you like a warm blanket by the fire, or a child wrapped in his or her mother’s arms. The messages of the soul have no judgment factor to them…they are simply making you aware of what you need to resolve to open and walk through the next door.

"Show me your garden ...

and I shall show you what you are." ~ Alfred Austin

Honeysuckle Vine on Arbor

White Crab Apple

It is our conscious mind that takes that message and turns it inside out, analyzing the why, what about, what for and how, etc. The soul simply states this needs to be attended to, pay attention so we may understand and move forward.
By intuitively honoring its messages and creating a place for us to interpret and observe our own soul’s landscape: the attributes, characteristics, feelings, fragrances, sounds and colors, as well as the plants that grow there and any sort of means required to rest in this spot, we are honoring those aspects of our self and giving ourselves permission for them to come forth in a safe place and time that we have created.
It's Spring...a time of new beginnings...eggs hatching everywhere around us in nature. Why not create your own chance at hatching a buried treasure, or idea deep inside of you that has been waiting for this moment to arrive. Whether on a city balcony, in a cooperative garden setting, or on your own property...it is a time of new beginnings .... enjoy the beauty of Spring!

Virginia Snow bell, Blue Spruce, Yellow Cyprus


Water garden, Japanese Maple, Japanese Iris, Sedum

So get some paper and a garden catalog, or two. List (or cut pictures out of) the colors, textures, flowers, shrubs, trees and grasses that appeal to you. Look in magazines or on the web and find examples of gardens, follies, benches, chairs, tables, stumps, rocks, shells, statues, etc, that call out to you…"pay attention to me". What does the garden of your soul look like? You will be amazed at the beauty you will create and this in turn will help heal our planet. Springtime is full of the creativity nature offers unfurling into a beautiful creation right before our eyes. Now is the time...Enter the garden!

“A healthy garden is a reflection

of a healthy soul.” ~Anonymous

More Spring Surprises....Unfolding Before Our Eyes

2011-05-16T00:28:00.002-04:00

Grape Hyacinth(Muscari) under Bradford Pear

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

— Roald Dahl

This time of year can sometimes feel overwhelming in the garden. So much to clean up from the winter and pots, arbors, follies to move and plants to put in anew. For me it is a constant struggle... garden or studio. Because of the fact that my work in the garden seems to inspire my artistic senses and muse, it is best for me to give the garden some extra time now, which pays great dividends in the heat of summer months. This is a time of pacing ones self. Stopping for a glass of ice cold tea, or water and some fruit every few hours. A few hours seems to be my limit right now. My strength has not quite returned fully. So in those times, I head to the studio, or my trusty sketch book for a well needed break away from the garden.

A sketch of the house done for a new painting currently in progress.

It is the season of white blooms in the lower area of the garden. The Bradford Pears line the driveway and remind me of lacy bridal dresses. There are six quite large ones around the perimeter....recently it rained for days and their blooms came down quickly, before I was able to capture them...they will have to wait until next year to show their splendor to you.

Bradford Pear

Bridgewood Gardens is one of the sources we have purchased plants from, that have been unbelievably hardy and grown great. They come carefully packaged and have all done very well in my gardens. I have purchased hostas and a number of delightful ferns from them for the woodland gardens. This particular hosta has doubled in size, (twice), in the few years since we purchased it. I now have four and will be subdividing again soon. Its lovely spring color stands out in the shade as it is yellowish white, then it turns green later in the season. It is a great complement when put under or next to Blue Spruce as we have it in our gardens. It seems to love the shade below a japanese bosai cut spruce, facing toward the East where it gets morning sun and then shade from noon on. I have some variegated iris with the similar yellowish white color very close by, the hosta being horizontal and the iris a strong verticle, which keeps the eye moving on.

http://www.bridgewoodgardens.com/

I love this beautiful Hosta we had purchased from Bridgewood Gardens a couple years ago!

Foamflower (Tiarella) along the magical woodland path. I believe this is pink skyrocket. It accompanies a golden leaved Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Gold Heart), Japanese Jack In the Pulpit, Coral Bells (Purple Heuchera), Fire Chief Coral Bells (Heuchera), Bloodgood Japanese Maple, Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum), Epimedium Grandiflorum (Bishop's Hat)Night before Christmas, Patriot and White Christman Hostas as well as an evergreen Viburnum (Viburnum tinus 'Compactum' Spring Bouquet and Yakima Dwarf Rhododendrums. This is a winding path walking toward the swing set and is for the child in all of us. This path feeds the senses with exhilarating scents, sights of butterflies, sounds of birds and feeds the muse of inspiration and creativity.

The smell of Sweet William is intoxicating.
It is a lovely ground cover that spreads quickly under the Bloodgood Japanese Maple.

This viburnum, bleeding heart and hosta are next to the foamflower. The colors repeat themselves over and over along the path. There are also purple leaved coral bells later on throughout the summer, which are just coming up right now.

Boxwood hedges around the garden shed.

The garden shed with an old sundial from an estate sale.

Lilacs about to come into full bloom.
There is so much more to see here ... as the seasons go round and round.
Thank you for coming. Hope you enjoyed the visit.
Come again soon.

And the Seasons, They Go Round and Round....

2011-05-15T22:10:00.004-04:00

Welcome back again, Happy Spring! I am trying to get back to some normalcy in my life, after being gone for quite some time.... a few seasons have passed, as I return with the renewed sense of everything in moderation. Here is my first post in quite some time....

The Japanese Cherry and Rhododendrons at the entrance

I always loved the song, "The Circle Game" by Joni Mitchell.

"And the seasons go round and round, and the painted ponies go up and down, we're captive on a carousel of time." Looking behind, from where I have come, and watching another turn of the seasons, I am humbled. In this crazy life and through these crazy times, our love has prevailed. There is something to be said for never giving up, persistence and nurturing, no matter what. A weakened plant, bush or tree that we become frustrated trying to satisfy, can turn on a dime, with just a bit of extra care and love. A change of place can always do wonders.

A Spring Rainbow Above the Yard

Our two oldest sons are graduating from college within two weeks of each other this month, starting out on their own journeys. The third has begun to drive on his own...they have all matured into fine young men that I am so very proud of. Sorry to indulge myself a bit here, but I feel this is as much a part of the reflection of a soulful life as any. As I look around the yard at so many memories and dreams that have been realized, I am filled with gratitude for a wonderful life and a well lived experience. Every moment of it, even the trying times, from the loss of loved ones to a few in our family fighting Lyme Disease and other issues in the past couple of years, has been a journey through the seasons of our lives that has been truly amazing.

"So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through." -Joni Mitchell

2010 Fall Season - On the Lake Nearby

Here are a few photos of the area around us. The seasons have progressed toward the current Spring season where regeneration and the years gifts begin to unfold around us. May your 2011 year bring you and yours love, peace and wonderful surprises to behold.

2011 End Of the Winter...Mt. Washington

Early Spring Pond Visitors...a bluejay and a hawk

Budding Peach Trees In the Last Spring Snow

A Lovely, Dreamy Sunset among the fields

Bradford Pears, Redbud and Japanese Cherry Trees along the driveway

Gardening, Patience and Lyme Disease -Gail Allen

2010-08-07T00:04:00.002-04:00

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Patience is a virtue and gardening involves so much patience. There are times when you can create an instant garden, like I mentioned in the post below, but creating an outdoor garden and letting it evolve into a mature landscape takes time, planning, a lot of work, willingness to change as nature dictates and patience. Our gardens have been a work in progress for over 14 years and are over 4 acres in size. There are evergreen gardens, perennials, a water garden, hosta garden, vegetables and woodland garden.

It has been months since I have written, primarily because I have had to limit drastically my involvement with a myriad of my endeavors. Right now, I am having to put most of my energy into my paintings as you can see on my Easel Tides blog: Easel Tides: Gail Allen's Artistic Journey.

Gardening is my second favorite pastime, which I have always also pursued with vigor. The reason for the abrupt stop to the gardening, and this journal is: About two years ago after spending weeks in April and May clearing out a large amount of underbrush, to plant a new area near a garden shed, I became extremely ill, fatigued and couldn't walk well - or for more than 8 to 10 feet, dragging my left foot as I walked. I developed a large (18" diameter) raised red rash on my stomach. Severe headaches, like migraines, joint pain and numbness followed. Soon my memory was fading, my words were slurring, getting all mixed up and I had a short term bout of bells palsy numbness of my face. After many tests and months of extreme pain and anguish, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. To make a very long story short, my point in this post is to make gardeners aware of the dangers of Lyme Disease. If you Google the term Lyme Disease, there are so very many stories and sites that will explain the symptoms and how to prevent it. I will put a list at the end of this article. Most cases show up in June, July and August, as it takes a few days to weeks of having (the deer tick), the culprit that causes the disease, attached, to infect you. The deer tick is found in long grass or brush and is about the size of a pin head. It can be easily mistaken for a small mole, or possibly not even seen, except for the slight itchiness at the site of the bite, which is not necessarily where the rash occurs.

I still garden, but for this year, as I undergo long term antibiotic treatment for stage three or tertiary lyme disease and the symptoms wax and wane, sometimes to a debilitating extent - I have had to exhibit the pace of nature - patience. The weeds are slowly taking control, but thanks to the drought conditions we have faced in this area this summer, the weeds have been a bit contained and some have even died. I've been somewhat lucky in that. I'll be posting some summer pictures soon.

For gardeners of all types, I hope you read up and make yourself aware of prevention and treatment of Lyme Disease. Don't wait to be stricken. Cases are on the rise at alarming rates, it simply takes education of how to prevent being bitten - by dressing properly, using the correct lotions or sprays to deter them and checking yourself as you come in from gardening in your yard.

Some sites to explore:

http://www.columbia-lyme.org/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/ld_humandisease_diagnosis.htm
http://www.lymedisease.org/lyme101/ticks/about_ticks.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000669.htm

Creating an Unusual Patio or Balcony Garden

2010-03-02T20:53:00.001-05:00

Even when designing a small garden space on a limited budget, you can think big and use your imagination to inspire a noteworthy niche for contemplation and relaxation. Be bold, take chances and follow the ideas that "pop-into" your mind during the planning stages, these are the fuel for an interesting refuge. Trust your soul to give you cues as to what it is needing for atmosphere. Once you let the subconscious mind begin to create, you are on the right track to a great experiential garden. A great garden has attention in the details, so look closely at each area for the chance to add your personal unusual flair.
Every element should contribute to the peaceful restorative ambiance you are trying to create. Think of three levels of height, AND depth to your garden design; leading the eye onward and upward, creating depth using light colored leaves in front of darker colored leaves such as black, purple or red. Look for bluish colored leaves, as in an 'Elegans' Hosta, for a soothing effect. Yellow colored leaves bring the eye forward. Also look at the color, texture and shape of each element. Soft plants against hard surfaces, like a wispy trailing plant, placed at the bottom below a ceramic pot, which is holding a larger plant or water feature, will enhance the look of the setting. The cleaver use of trellises and unique objects-including pots and urns, shells, sculptural objects, chunks of glass or gazing balls, rocks, crystals,water, candlelight all help to set the stage when you are designing your own distinctive personal haven.
For example: Start by placing a mirror on a wall, (or a metallic reflective element like that), behind a tall fern, or other unique plant in a corner of a balcony. Add one or two purple, red, or darker green plants. Possibly one that flowers! Always remember to plant in odd numbers of one, three or five. Alternate leaf styles-fern like, spiky and/or rounded leaves. Next, you could use a medium sized ceramic basin filled with water and a solar bamboo trickling fountain - a unique garden feature for a small space. The water garden could be raised up in its pot by setting it on another planter pot, placed upside down for the mid level planting. Place a water lily in a smaller pot, submerged in your fountain. Add a few small potted yellow or variegated grasses, or multicolored coleus for color around the base below. Add an item or two of interest like shells, unique rocks, beach rocks, clear glass balls, anything you collect for whimsy and fun. This can all be placed fairly compact together in a corner. Use this idea as just a starting point- to get your mind thinking. Make it your own personal haven. Have fun. Think of decorating the space as if it were a room in your house.
You will be surprised to see how the sound of water attracts people's attention and draws them out onto the balcony into your serene garden sanctuary.

Some Wintry Beauty in the Landscape

2010-02-03T17:55:00.001-05:00

2010-01-10T19:02:00.001-05:00

The Power of Personal Style

“Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily

Life is but a dream.”

I guess I could say my personal style is pretty much summed up by these words. It really encompasses everything about how I live my life – in the moment, moving forward, step by step planning, developing and applying the ideas that come to mind. I seem to have an inherent “knowing”, as well as a vivid imagination of what could come in to “being” when planning a garden.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” - Albert Einstein

So my advice in starting a garden is to get some gardening magazines, catalogues, books at the library, search on line, and just give your self the chance to “dream” and imagine what could be. Copy and save photos. Walk out on your patio, or into your yard, or the space wherever your “garden” is going to be and just look and listen. Open your heart to all that is around you. Really look at the area you are going to develop and try to imagine yourself in the finished garden. What “fits” in this area of your yard?

Is this for sustenance, as a vegetable garden, cooking garden, and an herb or fruit garden?

Is it a container garden, or planted in the ground?

City or Country?

Is this a garden of flowers, vegetables, grasses, evergreens, water, or a mixture of all of these?

How large of an area could you imagine it would be, without it feeling overwhelming to manage?

How much time do you want to spend maintaining it?

Do you love the outdoors, bugs, snakes, mice etc? Can you see yourself dealing with these on a daily basis?

Do you have other animals of your own such as a cat or dog that will impact whether a fence needs to surround it?

Is the garden against a wall, or an island, or a peninsula?

How much wind do you get in the area? (This will affect whether you need to stake plants or not.)

How will you get water to it? Is there a source close by?

Do you see a sculpture, bench or potted plants within it?

Do you want to replant with each New Year: as with annuals or mix in some perennials that will grow repeatedly in the same place each year? Also, think of biennials, which grow every other year. A few dwarf evergreens could give some “bones” to your garden if you live in a wintry climate.

Do you see this in full color? Bright vivid or soft subtle colors, monochrome?

How tall is the tallest plant? Is it in the center or the back?

Are there paths wandering within the garden?
Are there any other structures?

If you believed your dream was attainable, what would you dream of?

If you dreamt it today, and it would not fail, what would your garden look like?

How great would it feel to sit, walk through, or work in this space you have created in your mind?

If you look closely, what part of your garden would you love to look at the most?Where would you feel most comfortable in your imaginary garden?

Try to sketch it or cut out pictures and make a collage of what it would be like.

You are on your way. Dream it…..do it. It is that simple.

Dream it for the sake of adding beauty to your life and the planet. Dream it for the sake of adding meaning to yourself, (and remember whatever you do resonates out into the larger world), - so for the sake of adding meaning to the world. These garden inspirations and your dreams of a life worth living, and the work worth doing help that thought grow in the world, to all corners of our universe. Garden for yourself - and you will help the world grow.

Beginning a Garden

2010-01-08T16:30:00.001-05:00

Gardening involves partnership, love and art which transform life, and this resonates to all corners of the world. It is meditative, and all encompassing of body, mind and soul. It should be always evolving and changing. If it is approached initially in this manner, it will result in an experience which is both emotional and physical to the creator and the beholder. Alliance of your own personality with this new space, and seeing it as a cooperative effort between yourself and nature - as opposed to strictly designing and controlling nature, will bring harmony and success in your ventures.
Many factors come to mind when considering planning a garden. What kind of gardener are you, or would you like to become? What are your traits and archetypes that will be influencing how you work in the garden.What would you like the space or "room" to be like - is it a a place of sustenance, personal/private space or one to be shared with others? What senses (sight, sound, hearing, touch) are going to be kindled as one passes through? What kind of garden will you plant - annual, perennial, water, grasses, flower, vegetable and fruit? What style attracts you? Is it English, Country, Asian, Mediterranean, Artistic, Soulful, Planned or Unplanned? What is the climate zone like? What are the watering needs? What is the soil like? Which local animals could be a problem and do you want to plant so as not to attract them? How do light requirements influence the success of your garden?
At the outset, the journey can be spontaneous and happen in a learn as you go adventure. Or, you can take the time to ask yourself some pertinent questions and save some often costly and frustrating mistakes. Writing things down can be the first step in organizing your thoughts and feelings, even if you never refer back to them again. Think of it as exploring your soul and focusing the mind on what the soul truly wants. It is parallel to making a life plan; exploring your wants, needs, and desires, the financial requirements and working out the details on how to get the end result.
So, here, where the ground is snow covered and the "bones" of the area are clearly able to be seen - I am taking this month to look, think, write, sketch and meditate. It should be fun and filled with creative expression as I begin to sketch and revise my own "Soulful Garden".

2010-01-01T22:27:00.001-05:00

"Love shared anywhere transforms situations everywhere. Your life is your corner of the garden;tend to that and you tend to the world." - Marianne Williamson

Magical Creative Gardening

2009-12-31T11:01:00.001-05:00

The gardens are frozen over by snow right now, but underneath, roots are spreading and bulbs are multiplying. There is always an evolution in the works, even when it seems impossible. I have decided to evolve this creativity blog into my gardening journal. The thought germinated after a "Tweet"on Twitter by a gardening enthusiast referenced one of my entries in my painting blog, about our Japanese inspired garden in our backyard. ( View "The Oasis" at http://wwwgailallenartist.blogspot.com ) Gardening is, and always has been, as important an aspect in my life, as my artwork. It is an extension of my creativity through use of Spirit's life force. Gardening seems to sustain me - the ongoing joke in our house when I am withering indoors, (I am especially cranky during the dormant season) is that I "need to go dig in the dirt". There has always been a tug of war between creating artwork and getting out into the gardens.....which have become numerous. Over the many, many years gardening has been inspirational, fulfilling, irrational - even absurd at times, and sustaining. My husband is my partner in creation and keeps the irrational, artistic side of me in check. Although not always enthusiastic when first getting wind of my newest "creation", he usually signs on - we seem to have this wonderful check and balance system and each spring we keep going through it again, thanks to two active imaginations.
A bit of history on my gardening background. I was born to parents who were very creative and came from farming families. We were in the garden from the earliest I can remember and knew most flowers, trees and vegetable names before I was in fourth grade. We scouted for mushrooms on early Sunday mornings after church, under towering pine and oak groves. It seemed magical to me as a child. One of my earliest artworks was a flip book of a mushroom under the pine needles sprouting up. I always had plants growing, even when I lived in the city during college. Then our "real" journey began after getting married and buying our first house on an excavated sand pit! Sand and rocks and clay...oh my. The journey began. After multiple moves, we have settled on five acres which have evolved and expanded into gardens of every possible kind. I will be chronicling lessons learned, putting up old and new pictures of our gardens, as well as book lists and other sites I enjoy that you may find helpful in your gardening journey.
I hope this will be inspirational in germinating new growth in your creativity through gardening. On this eve of a blue moon I would like to Welcome You to 2010 - Happy New Year, may it bring you peace, prosperity and happiness in your garden of life. All the best....

The Final Escape - A Directorial Debut

2009-12-23T10:04:00.000-05:00

Creativity evolves. The first directorial debut and video production of a budding producer.(Click on the link to view.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhcm7w8h4bE

Please watch and comments are appreciated.

Gail Allen: A Day Painting Creative Symbolism

2009-11-16T11:24:00.000-05:00

For me, a day starts out with a walk in the woods with my lab "Otto", to clear my head, get some focus on where my thoughts are taking me, and to get some inspiration. It is generally only about 15 minutes to a half hour. Then I sit and review notes, or write new notes on what needs to be reworked, or the order of working up the piece that I am going to follow.
My work has evolved into what is primarily studio work - as it has shifted from plein aire landscapes to more conceptual pieces with many symbolic elements. I am attracted to these because of the expression of more universal concepts which go beyond the simple verbal explanations. The pieces are much larger, more intricate, with many overlapping elements. This is a reflection again of my own interests in spirituality and the oneness with all things. My studies in psychology, metaphysics, dream images, symbolism, cultures, science and the natural world are all interrelated constant elements of the newest works in progress. The creativity is in the telling of the story through these images. I am looking to develop works that are seen in a different way by each viewer. Many of the symbols are deeply and intricately interwoven, so as not to be immediately seen, some never really seen.
The archetypal personality traits of the viewer affect how they see the painting. Such multi-faceted concepts emerge at many psychic levels. Therefore, this new series is aimed at each individuals experiential viewing level.
Awareness of symbols changes a person's universal perception, even without interpretation. Symbols always operate on a non-rational and nonverbal level first - emoting a common generalized effect on the observer's very physiology. This is why so many archetypal representational objects have appeared again and again in religions, dreams and visions, myths, legends and works of art throughout history and across all diverse cultures. Form and color play the part of giving these images meaning and making them tangible. In as much as the viewer's examination is necessary to the interpretation of a particular shape or form, a person reacts with spontaneity to a color. All of these elements work together to effect the outcome of mood, mind states, and the body's function directly in various unseen ways. Herein lies my hope for the creativity of these paintings. Healing artwork is an emerging and exciting field that I am currently exploring through observations on my morning walks with nature and through my ongoing studies.

May 21

2009-05-21T13:40:00.000-04:00

Creativity, it's always there: in a thought, or maybe a vision I see in the light of the day or the shadows of the night. It haunts me at times, when I can't get the energy to put my thoughts down in words or a sketch. I can see where artists of the past were tormented by their frustrations. I have been unable to paint lately because of other responsibilities but will be returning to my easel soon.

Be in Joy

2009-03-25T20:36:00.000-04:00

The best advice for living a very creative life ..... find the joy in every situation, no matter how grim - the rainbow is somewhere in the distance. Take heart, dig deep and be in joy in every moment, even if it takes meditating on the feeling of joy when something great and fun happened to you in the past.

2009-02-13T13:52:00.001-05:00

New Beginnings and Changes for the New Year-

Currently, I am still working on three different series of work. I guess I am fickle, I change every few days from one series to the next. I find this is how I work best, staying fresh, although at times it can get extremely confusing - so I journal all thoughts and colors used as I work.

I also have undertaken revamping and changing the studio around after 12 years...a huge cleansing of many "saved" items. A bit daunting, to say the least but I am almost finished.
The photo above shows current works in progress. I am working on a new style, incorporating more creativity, exploration and, as a result, more fun. I don't believe in staying in a "safe" place with my work, I like to constantly challenge the extremes of where it can go. Sometimes it is rewarding, at others it can be frustrating because I can turn a painting that is going well into a disaster with one "new" decision to experiment a bit more. In the end, I believe that 's what creativity is all about. Hopefully the end result will be well received! All the best....

"When Sitting, Leap Like a Tiger."

2008-11-20T12:20:00.000-05:00

"When Sitting, Leap Like a Tiger" are words that were literally given to me, by a dear friend and mentor, over twenty eight years ago. In Korean the name is Yong Maeng Jong Jin which translates to the aforementioned phrase. He said nothing else about it at the time. Just passed t hese written words to me at the end of a conversation. I was perplexed as to what it meant. Too young perhaps to realize the gift he had given me. Never the less, it had started me on a path that I am very thankful for, which has brought me to this moment in time. Meditation is key to my creativity and the path it takes me on.
As I work on my current painting, "The Flow of Creativity", I am reflecting on the many forms of meditation and spirituality that I have studied, that each culture practices and always use the information garnered in my paintings in some way. I am intrigued by the marriage of the ancient and the future. I try to keep my work original, while weaving in symbols, mythology, metaphors and motifs that are part of the history of this planet. As the dynamic interest in our world as "one world" takes hold, and the pendulum swings us back to a place of more respect for nature and our universe, these ancient symbols and teachings are more important to revive. If we are to reach some sort of relative balance from the overwhelmingly chaotic lifestyle we have created, we must incorporate these ancient teachings into our future. Perhaps for me, the flow of creativity is best defined as meditation. In my life and my work ,I try to to keep these three elements as my guide: great faith, great courage and great questioning.