Gardens to Go

I love a good story, humor, whimsy, irreverence. I cannot resist flea markets, charity shops, garage sales, the chance to discover objects that have some sort of history--even a rough history-- and look to me like they have a story to tell. An avid reader all my life, my background has been literature, writing, and editing. I have been gardening for 40 years since I first planted an amazing thing: a California succulent. I started making 'story' gardens a few years ago, at first as a challenge. I wanted to see what I could 'plant' in my collections of found objects. Some were successful and told their stories easily. The titles of the pieces are the beginning of the stories.  I express myself through combining objects that have been thrown away, no longer wanted,with plants living long lives in hot weather, with little water. I create beauty by animating a found object with plantings, creating a unique and whimsical story garden that  I hope makes you smile. - Susan Spinks

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.