Patrick Dougherty

The other day I was headed into City Hall when I noticed these structures up in the trees right in the plaza. It immediately brought back memories of college in Ann Arbor and how the the same, twisting nest houses greeted me as I entered the Diag, and I could wander my way through them. This time they are up in the trees, floating above the tree line, as if they had fallen out of the sky. I was so happy to see them, almost 15 years later.

Patrick Dougherty has been creating these environmental sculptures since the early 80's, some are more complex than others - I personally love the more simplistic forms - as if they somehow formed themselves.

His latest installation will be found in Connecticut, at the Florence Griswold Museum.

Flora Grubb

For most of us living in San Francisco, Flora Grubb is a household name by now. She has a beautiful nursery in SF which has an abundance of rare, exotic plants, succulents, and palms. No matter how much I see or read about her, I cannot help but get completely inspired each time I visit the gardens or see a new project somewhere... her work is absolutely beautiful. I adore the composition & texture of her "living art" made of succulents. (And anyone who has been to my house knows I have a certain obsession with succulents - maybe because it's the only thing I am successful at growing...?)

Recently I paid a visit to the nursery and found my new favorite project: the Vertical Garden in a Woolly Pocket. Apparently they are inexpensive (probably not the one featured here), lightweight, and can go indoors or out. Even more - they are made out of recycled water bottles. What is there not to like?