Herons, sheds, and other works in progress

(Let me say, before we go any further, that the willow sculpture you see here is a heron. A HERON. Not a giraffe.)

I made this chap at a willow sculpture workshop taught by Hazel Godfrey at Albion Arts in Harpenden a few weeks back. I don't know what you think of my efforts, but I was rather pleased with him. My friend Sarah also did the course at the same time and  made a heron, which you can see below. It was interesting how everyone in the group followed exactly the same instructions, yet everyone's sculpture came out different. Sarah's heron looks more realistic than mine - mine looks a bit, well, shocked, whereas hers is more naturalistic.

It was enlightening working with willow - the wood has to be soaked for a day per foot to make it supple, then the work of bending it to your will is all down to the strength of your hands. It definitely inspired me to make some willow obelisks for my garden as and when I have the time and materials - they're ridiculously expensive to buy and now I've made a heron, I can make an obelisk, surely?! I just need to lay my hands on some willow. Hazel said she gets most of hers from the wild, so I just need to scope out some harvesting spots ou in the countryside.

My heron - who may well end up being called Horace - is about the only point of interest in my increasingly bare garden right now. Rick kindly got rid of the mostly dead but huge ceanothus bush, a rogue forsythia and a suckered lilac to free up a huge space for my not-yet-bought potting shed. I would've done it myself, but just under 6 months pregnant I've been banned from heavy work in the garden. With any luck by the summer I should have a new shed, possibly a new patio and with any luck, foundations for the garden office, oh, and a new baby. The latter may mean the garden office will take a little longer to get around to, but just getting rid of the algified ice rink that is the decking will be a great relief.

Comments

[Timalric]

I love the heron!Do you know of any willow classes in the SW London/Surrey area?

[Ryan]

Jane I love your giraffe, sorry, Heron!

I arranged a willow weaving session for our work away day last month and understand just how difficult it is to make something on that scale. You've done a brilliant job and should be proud of Horace.

Did you know that you can use dogwood too? I did a bit of weaving with the beautiful red stemmed Cornus and it really does make an impression.

Keep up the good work. If you go in to business I'll have a few obelisks thanks!

Ryan

[GillyInAriege]

Great heraffes! Have you thought of growing your own willow. The yellow stemmed variety (sorry, don't know it's name) puts out masses of new branches when pollarded or coppiced and looks stunning all winter. A very versatile tree

[L. Perrone]

i think much like dogs the herons are resembling their owners/makers. that heron has got your posture. you should give it a quick shoulder rub every now and then. by the way i am really jealous that you made one of these before me. perhaps you could get a grant to come and teach a workshop in vancouver.

[Eliza]

Awww, that's a delightful heron! Much less scary than the real thing (which I would be terrified to back into a corner... they have spears on their faces). The willow construction looks fun, maybe I'll give it a try!

[moonbells]

Congratulations! Didn't realise you were expecting another small garden helper!

Best wishes

[Felicity Waters]

hey great Heron - just saw some great willow sculptures at St Georges hospital last week - the artist had them weaved onto trees - perhaps your heron may morph with your airer?

you have inspired me to do a post on willow sculptures ...thanks

[Lucy @ Smallest Smallholding]

I'm planning on starting my own mini hazel coppice - I don't have much space but I reckon if you get a patch just big and dense enough, you can reap the rewards - free (decorative AND functional!) stuff for your garden!

[Allotment Blogger]

Definitely a heron - can't imagine how anybody could think anything else.

We have willow weaving workshops on our allotment site, but I'm too ham-fisted to attend one because I know I would produce an abomination of a sculpture!

[Helen]

hahaha (in a nice way) cos I love your Heron. Have always loved the willow work, impressed by your efforts. Our garden looks bare too, and we have just had a greenhouse installed and so its seedlings galore for me this year (for the allotment).

[Matron]

Actually that second picture it looks more like a flamingo! You should put it in water!

[Esther Montgomery]

Here comes a question that shows my ignorance but I would be interested to know the answer in case I too want to go willow hunting in the wild - what kind of willow?

Esther

P.S. I'm sure it doesn't matter too much what your heron looks like. It's enough to know you made it and that it doesn't fall over too often. (And, as with humans, there's some leeway on the second of these!)

[kathy doyle]

Willow obelisks are indeed too pricey, I will definately be giving this idea a try, though the heron looks altogether too complicated...

[Adam]

Well . . . it could be an Emu :-) However, Horace the Heron is a better name than Eddie the Emu! Garden art is more fun when it's not too obvious.