Sue Lund - Featured Artist for July!

Sue enjoying a wee session with Adam and Eve. Photo taken by Johnathan Milne of The Learning Connexion, Wellington

For those new to my blog you may not have seen Sue Lund's work featured here before. I have a couple of her VERY VIBRANT paintings at my office, along with a mannequin on loan (similar to these ones) that I have called Susan. Now Susan (the mannequin) is about to find a new home in a land Far Far Away, so I have dedicated this post to Susan and her giraffe.......Ciao Bella!!! Thanks for the memories.........

One of the first Learning Connexion buildings Sue painted

Sue has been painting the many single and multi-story buildings at The Learning Connexion for a couple of years now. I think the entire site should be promoted as a tourist attraction! Sue is busy at work indoors at the moment getting paintings ready for the NZ ART SHOW in Wellington at the end of July. A not-to-be missed-event. GET YE THERE!!!

Oh - and check out Sue's website - suelund.com - Sorry I haven't figured out how to link this site, so you will just have to google her...........

See you at the art show??

Brackenridge 2011

Leptocarpus similis in the stony river

The Spa, seen from the entry drive. This was bare land in 2008.

NZ Totara trees beside the stony river

Contrasting leaf textures

Hebe topiara - sculptural mounds along the path

Have just taken some photos of the original landscaping we did at Brackenridge back in 2008. This is a famous country venue at Martinborough, used for weddings, conferences etc. Check out the page on The Spa @ Brackenridge from the list on the right, if you want to see more about our role in the development. The planting is in extremely dry and windy conditions, so has done really well in only 3 years.

Bird Feeders

 Birds in the garden are so special - and my father has perfected just the thing to lure them in close to the house for watching on these cold winter days. Here the apples are just strung together on a piece of wire, with milk bottle tops between them to stop the apple sliding off. He cuts an opening in the side of the apple skin, and leaves the birds to it. I love the crazy bright colours he has put together. You could make it more discreet with blocks of wood, or I have put pumice stones on mine. The birds are Wax-Eyes or Silver-Eyes, native to NZ. Not sure if they are found in other countries - somebody might like to enlighten me??

The picture above is mature pine cones, smothered in a delicious brew of lard/dripping (from the supermarket, or save your own from lamb roasts), with brown sugar, seeds etc thrown in while it is still soft. Don't need a recipe - just experiment. Note: have the wire or string in place BEFORE you cover with the fat. The Wax-Eyes love this cone, and if you hang it upside down, then the cheeky little sparrows can't hover or cling on in the same way to get to the fat! The birds become very brave and you can get so close to them it is amazing. Both are great projects to do with children, and are almost free. Give it a go, and let me know the results!