Musing on Design: Bonsai – Tiny Landscaping Using Very Little Water

Eye of the Day’s interest in gardening, plants and outdoor living goes beyond residential and commercial landscape architecture and into a special type of gardening—almost a form of intellectual gardening—with Joe Kalina, a man who is certainly musing on design.

Joe is always interested in a challenge and always interested in intellectual probing.  He received his degree in Fine Arts, worked as a draftsman and then pursued a degree in Business Administration while working as a designer at Northrup Grumman.  Now “retired,” Joe has a million projects, but one has held his attention since 1977.

With his knowledge of the elements of design, the art of Bonsai became a challenge and a love for him.  He first chooses a potential tree by looking at the size of the trunk based on how he envisions the outcome in the distant future. He then examines how the roots are dispersed around the base of the trunk to give structure and visual pleasure. The optimum plant has many branches which in traditional Bonsai practice are numbered.

Practicing the art of Bonsai is a true form of meditation and has helped Joe to gain the discipline to learn patience, as many of his projects have been ongoing for decades. For a few hours almost every day, tiny leaves are pulled and even tinier pine needles are removed with tools that are almost surgical.  Copper wires and wooden spacers are used to coax the tree into shapes that are traditionally sound as well as pleasing to the eye.

Many of the same methods that are used in landscape design are used in Bonsai: planning, strategy, use of sculptural elements, linear design, visual significance and personal style.  Joe has become genius at planning his unique landscapes, but he acknowledges there is time to learn even more patience.  He is a patient man.

MUSINGS UN DESIGN: SCULPTOR BOBBIE CARLYLE

We have been extremely fortunate to exhibit many of Bobbie Carlyle’s  bronze sculptures at Eye of the Day in our showroom and our outdoor areas for the last year.  Last month brought this internationally recognized sculptor from Colorado to Carpinteria to take part in our Art in the Garden and Water Conservation weekend.

About the Artist

This tiny, quiet blonde woman produces an incredible array of sculptures including wildlife, figurative, fantasy and historical figures. Bobbie spent much of her time during her three days with us working on a new sculpture, showing us how much quiet diligence it takes to create something physical from an idea.

One of Bobbie’s most well known sculptures is “Self Made Man,” a man carving himself out of stone, “carving his character, carving his future.”  This 14’ monument is a great example of  Bobbie’s vision.  She recently installed a piece in Los Angeles called “Seaswept” at one of the entrances of the new Robert F. Kennedy Inspiration Park, the former site of the Ambassador Hotel and we have the same beautiful sculpture here at Eye of the Day.

Our showroom and annex holds many pieces of Bobbie’s garden art: a tiny fairy sitting atop a mushroom, a young baseball catcher crouching behind an excited batter, a boy leaping to catch a frog and a life-size girl holding her day’s catch, a tiny minnow, and with her can of worms at her side.

Behind the Art

After looking at her website and then having the opportunity to see so many of Bobbie’s pieces, I was interested in finding out what would happen next in the process of creating a full size sculpture from the lovely little figure she was sculpting at Eye of the Day.

She first creates the figure in modeling clay in order to get the proportions and stance the way she wants them. A mold is then made first in latex or silicone backed with plaster to hold the shape. The clay is removed and molten wax is poured into the mold and cooled, after which the wax is removed and coated with ten coats of silica gel, dried and fired in a kiln in which the wax melts and the silica becomes a ceramic shell. 2200° molten bronze is poured into the now empty shell.  After cooling, the bronze is cleaned by sandblasting, welding, metal chasing. And there you have it… finished.

Curiosity quenched.

To learn more about the artist and to view Bobbie’s work, please visit Bobbie Carlyle Sculpture.

Are you looking for something unique or special this holiday season?  The Eye of the Day Holiday Gift Guide for 2014 has you covered. These gifts come from all around the world and are sure to be statement pieces in the home or garden.

1. Mini Greek Oil Jars 
Handmade in Crete. These oil jars are hand thrown on the wheel and can be custom colored by Eye of the Day. As a standalone piece or filled with plants, these oil jars make striking decor items. 
$29-$49. Custom coloring available for additional fees.

2. Limited Edition Giclee Prints 
Painted by Santa Barbara Artist Karin Shelton. Each print is numbered, signed and created with archival inks.  Her artwork subject matter ranges from abstract to botanical to landscape. 
$36-$175. Call for size option availability.

3. Mini Anduze Vases 
Handmade in France. The classic Anduze vase in miniature makes a charming addition to your home or office decor.
$53 and up.

4. Olive Wood Bowl and Serving Set
Handmade in Tunisia. Handcrafted from richly grained olive wood results in unique pieces. Serve your holiday treats in something beautiful.
Starting at $207. Call for availability.

5. Antique Italian Glass Milk and Cream Jars
Clear glass or half-obscured with sand paint, these jars can be used as beautiful rustic vases, one of a kind terrariums or hurricane lamps.
Clear, $110-$130. Sanded, $120-$150. Call for availability.

Visit our Eye of the Day showroom for more gift ideas or call 805-566-6500 regarding questions and availability on our gift guide products. Cheers!