"A backyard study"

This drawing was done from a photograph, and will hopefully be the start of how this backyard will turn out. This is the initial design for this project, the walkway that is shown starts where the patio space will end.
The wood structure to the left is for privacy screening from the only neighbor that has any type of view of the backyard. I also like the idea of a lot of pots in the one corner-to be used for annual/tropical color and foliage. To the right of walk the idea is now for a large pond to be installed. 

"Sketchbook"

Just a little something out of my sketchbook, fooling around with different ways to draw trees. Starting out with circles, and then moving to a graphic symbol to give the feeling of leaves/motion in the tree. If I remember I did this with a charcoal pencil. 

Thoughts of Summer

Just wanted to throw a little stream action up, it is a long way to summer but looking forward to seeing and hearing a "babbling brook" 

Window of Opportunity

This photo of Machu Piccu was sent to me by a colleague who has been there several times. The stone work is jaw-dropping. The Inca put these stones together by using other stones to carve the joints. Harder, smaller stones, 1000's of hours of work to put this wall together. Just beautiful joinery.
Besides discussion on my work I will continue to look at, and share photo's sent to me by others traveling throughout the World 

Where have I been?

Time to pick things back up, I have directed myself to other
directions and have put the energies elsewhere. Including
doing some nice design work and really getting involved in
The Stone Foundation go here for more info .
TSF has formed a Board of Trustees, became a formal
non-profit and elceted yours truly to the Board. More on this
group as I get a chance.

Patio with fire pit-plan view conceptual.

This fast conceptual shows approx. 600 sq. ft. of patio space, a firepit, and a fairly large arbor. The arbor will be at two heights. The side running parallel to the house will be higher than the perpendicular side. If this proposal flies, I will probably put together a planting plan that emphasizes the summer months here in Ohio. 

What the sam hill . . . . . .?

I'm not sure but I think some from of Alien life is about to attack this pond in Ohio 

A closer look

Yep, I was right, upon further inspection aliens are attacking this pond. Unless, hmmm, has some form of bacteria sprung up from the pond bottom and created this monster. Maybe a return to the 50's, I'm just not sure. 

Malus rosseau

Secrest Arboretum in Wooster Ohio has the largest collection of Ornamental Crabapples in the world. This one: Malus rosseau is one of my favorites. Planted in 1954 the color on this tree is just outstanding, and the fragrance will just about knock you over. Truly a gorgeous tree. Secrest is a great place, for research, study, and the ultimate form of how trees and shrubs reach their ultimate sizes and shapes. After a visit here it is easy to see why I shake my head so often at how close plant material is shoved up next to a house. Secrest is definitely worth the visit. 

My website is up!!!

Well I finally joined the rest of the enlightened world and put up a website. When I'm done I'll have work examples, drawings, and a sort-of calendar that lets everyone know where I am and some of the other great stuff going on in the green industry.

Pond, waterfall, and Petasites hybrida

This is a look at a 3 year old pond that I shot last summer. I maintained this pond the 1st two years enabling the pond to get off to a good start. My goal is to strive for a naturalistic look and feel to my work where it is hard to figure out where the pond stops and the land begins.
I believe the number one problem with most professionally built ponds is-a lack of "naturalism/realism"; the edges are too hard, the rocks are piled too high or too deep around the edges. A lot of pond-builders have a poor understanding of how plant material works; not only in the water but surrounding the water as well.
I look for opportunities to bring the plant material right down and into the water to create a lush and inviting scene whenever possible. The more varied and larger amount of plant material in the pond also helps the pond become more successful ecologically.
btw, this is in Ohio, near Canton which is zone 5. My thanks to Lake Cable Nursery. 

Bishop res. color rendering

This is a new Elevation Rendering just completed for a local project. The only big change is to remove the arbor that is part of the Parking Court. This type of rendering is now typical for me on larger scale residential projects where there is more going on than just typical foundation planting around the house. I will follow this up with other drawings. 

The Stone Foundation

I have been asked to speak during this year's Stone Foundation conference in Belmont, Ohio the first week of October. To learn more about TSF and the conference go here. This will be held in conjuction with the International Trades Education Initiative and the International Preservation Trades Workshop. This will be a huge event with skilled craftsmen showing up in little Belmont, Ohio from all over the world.
The focus of my talk will be to the "stone gurus" about how to put together stone and water. I am really looking forward to this-it should be a great time and very informative. I will have more on this in the next few weeks as the information comes in.

Association of Professional Landscape Designers

This is an organization that I am a founding member of, and I believe that anyone who wants to be a better Landscape Designer should become a member of. Join APLD here's their site and then take advantage, mainly by going to the conferences and soaking up the time spent with others who share the passion. Salt Lake City is where this year's conference will be held. Expect informative speakers, great touring, and excellent networking opportunities.

On a small boat in China

On a very small boat travelling near the 3 Gorges. This was a day trip during the boat ride down the Yangtze river. A lifelong dream of mine. 

Man, what a 'Buxus'

China, the oldest boxwood I had ever seen. 

That's me, enjoying my trip to China