Photography by Michael Woodall An important aspect of displaying art in the garden is selecting vegetation that pairs well with the pieces. Here, desert flora accents a grouping of artwork.

Landscapes abloom with art are growing in appeal


Famed painter Marc Chagall once mused, “Great art picks up where nature ends.” While homeowners often find natural beauty in their own yards, many are turning to works of art to accentuate the appeal of their properties. To find out more about this trend, we spoke with David Grove of Exhibit Services; Morgan Holt of Earth Art Landscape and Design Inc.; and Scottsdale artist Jeff Zischke.

GETTING THE LOOK
Grove, whose company specializes in displaying artwork both indoors and out, notes that there has been an increased interest among homeowners to exhibit art in the garden. “More people are designing landscapes around art instead of the art around the landscape,” he observes. Here are his thoughts regarding the installation and lighting of art outdoors.

Installation
• What to consider: When installing outdoor artwork, traffic patterns need to be maneuverable. If the piece has sharp or jagged edges, it needs to be positioned in a way that prevents possible injury. Also look into whether city or homeowners association regulations prohibit certain types or sizes of art from being displayed.

• Mounting: Be sure the piece is mounted to withstand strong winds or heavy rains. Some items may need to be fastened to a wall or secured to a concrete slab.

This colorful “totem” by Janet Orr reinforces the vertical element of nearby tree trunks.

Lighting
•  Choose the right light: As homeowners become more interested in displaying artwork outside, many find it necessary to expand their existing outdoor lighting scheme to adequately illuminate the art. Keep in mind that softer ambient light is more visually pleasing than harsher flood-type lighting. Also consider fixtures that operate on a dimmer or have a low voltage, as these will produce a soft glow.

• Create an effect: Experiment with different types of fixtures for varying effects, including uplighting a piece from below; placing a fixture in a nearby tree to create downlighting; or casting light on an object from behind to establish a dramatic halo effect.

MATERIAL WORLD
Zischke has noticed a widening array of art suitable for outdoor installation. “Art is the missing link in a lot of environments,” he notes. “It adds a whole different element to the natural landscape.” The artist expands on his point below.

An alfresco space at a Scottsdale condo displays a steel sculpture by Dan Radven.

Medium & Materials
• What’s hot: Of late, people have been
expressing interest in small-scale pieces, abstract designs and functional art. The latter includes artistic screens and gates with sculptural qualities.

• What works: Knowing what materials will hold up in a desert setting is one of the keys to a successful display. Acrylic and plastic objects tend to crack and fade in the Southwest’s sun and heat, while wood often cracks and becomes distorted. Stone, glass, concrete and metal are all more resistant to Arizona summers. Ceramic pieces also can handle the elements relatively well. Placing art where it receives only eastern sunlight or under a covered patio should help extend longevity.

Color

• Bright colors: Vibrant hues, such as
reds, yellows and greens, are trendy. Although many pieces designed for outdoor exposure have a protective powder-coated finish, this treatment will fade over time, depending on exposure to the elements and the color of the paint. In most cases, finishes will need to be reapplied every five to 10 years.

• Natural patinas: Metal artwork left to patina on its own is a popular choice for Southwest homeowners, both for its ease of care and its earthy palette, which complements the landscape. “Natural steel is a winner,” remarks Zischke.

A life-size bronze water sculpture by Martha Pettigrew draws the eye toward the back of a Scottsdale property. Yellow-flowering damianita, slipper flower and agave fill nearby planting beds.

PLANTING THE SEED
Asked what to consider when selecting vegetation to pair with artwork, or vice versa, Holt gives a simple answer: “Arrangement is everything.” Following are his observations.

Placement    
• Focal points and focal lines: Two options for determining the placement of art in the garden are focal points and focal lines. With strategic placement, art can be used to create a scene, or focal point, in the landscape. It also can act as a focal line that draws the eye through the landscape to a point of interest on the horizon, such as a nearby mountain.

• Elements of surprise: Consider incor-porating “discovery art”—art that is placed among plantings and is not immediately visible. This approach works well for gardens with pathways, and provides a point of discovery along the way.

Plants & Art
• Pairings: “As in any arrangement of
plantings, you have support casts and accents. The art is the accent, and the support cast [of plants] should complement it,” states Holt. “Color, form, texture, flower and seasonal change need to be considered.” In terms of a traditional art display, think of vegetation as the mat and frame.   

• Color: Plants that are solid-green in color act to highlight vibrant outdoor art. Conversely, lighter foliage provides contrast for solid-color art, particularly dark stone pieces.

• Prepare for growth: Plan for vegetation growth and the need to replace it when it begins to overtake the work of art. “Plantings are not stagnant, and planning for the overall size of a plant is critical,” Holt notes.

Bold colors on sculptures by Scottsdale artist Ludvic enliven a mostly green-hued landscape.

Finding Art
David Grove of Exhibit Services says many clients find that selecting the right piece of art is the first step in creating an artful garden. Here are his tips:
• Decide what you like. Go on art walks to explore what type of art is available for the outdoors; both Phoenix and Scottsdale hold monthly art walks. These events offer an opportunity to see the size and scale of pieces in person.
• Take photos. Take photographs of artwork that you like in order to document such elements as style, medium, material and color, and to aid in your selection.
• Make a cardboard cutout. Once you have found artwork that appeals to you, take its approximate dimensions and make a cardboard cutout of the piece. Place the cardboard cutout in the preferred outdoor space to determine if the size, scale and location are appropriate. If not, you can easily move the cutout around your yard to find a more suitable spot.

Expert Tips
David Grove of Exhibit Services and Morgan Holt of Earth Art Landscape and Design Inc. offer the following hints for displaying art in the garden:
• If you decide to place a wood piece outdoors, be prepared for it to eventually crack from exposure to the desert’s extreme elements, states Grove. Once wood cracks, it needs to be repaired quickly to prevent the damage from worsening.
• Take all types of art under consideration. “Personally, I enjoy kinetic art in the garden,” comments Holt, “art that moves with the wind or makes sound from rain, and reflective pieces that sparkle all add dynamic elements to the garden.”
• If your city’s or homeowners association’s regulations prohibit displaying art that is visible from a neighbor’s yard, check to see if planting a tree between the two to block the view is a suitable solution, Grove recommends.
• Move light fixtures around the yard to determine proper placement before installing them, Grove advises. This technique also will help you decide how many fixtures are needed.
• Keeping plants’ mature sizes in mind, place large plants behind artwork and use smaller ones in front as accents, Holt suggests.