Growing up in Bayfield was such a treat, and included chasing sunsets, spending days on the beach swimming and reading, window shopping at Hive, jumping off the dock, eating all the Rosies frozen yogurt one could afford and going for lots of drives along the countryside. Summertime here is very special in my opinion, and although I am not able to spend my days here as much anymore, I rejoice in evey single moment I can.
Spending days in my hometown the best way I like to in the summer.
Everytime I visit it is also an excuse to spend time in my parents garden, relaxing or painting.
The tall & beautiful cosmos in the garden.
A few months ago, I photographed the apple tree in the garden and have wanted to paint it ever since. I finally took the time to give it a try. I've been eager to practice painting lush gardens, and this was the perfect opportunity. Capturing all the elements of a garden can be daunting, as I think it is challenging to get that effortless look typical of a cottage garden.
A painting of the apple tree in my parents garden.
I recently discovered Gertrude Jekyll and her iconic influence on English cottage gardens. I have always admired the informal, flowing look of cottage gardens with their natural lines, but I didn't know the origins of this style. Gertrude Jekyll, born in London in 1843, was a key figure behind its design. Raised in an artistic and enlightened family, she developed a passion for science, craftsmanship, and plants. Inspired by William Morris, she was a versatile artist who practiced painting, embroidery, carpentry, metalworking, and photography.
My parents garden in august is colourful and wild.
When her family moved to the countryside, her love for plants deepened. She began collecting and drawing them using various media. Combining her formal art training with her gardening skills, she created a garden at her family home that featured not only roses and hostas but also included water features and hardscapes. Her experience in colour and texture, from art school, was applied to her gardens, making her renowned for her garden borders and colour schemes. She shared her knowledge through writing and became a respected horticulturist, designing over 400 gardens across the UK, America, and Europe. Gertrude Jekyll played a crucial role in shaping the English gardening style that I admire today.
Some quotes I love from her :
“It is no use asking me or anyone else how to dig… Better to go and watch a man digging and then take a spade and try to do it”.
“If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need”.
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