Happy beginning of spring! Though it officially started yesterday this year due to it being a leap year. It has felt like full-on spring (bordering on summer, tbh), for a week now, and last Friday the urge to get outside overcame me. I ended up playing hooky Friday afternoon, and taking a little inspiration trip to the Ruth Bancroft Garden near my house. The Garden is one of those local gems that we are so lucky to have in our area, but I often forget to take the time to visit. I’ve been meaning to for ages, and Friday was the perfect day.
Bay Area resident Ruth Bancroft started the garden as a personal project in 1971, on a 3 acre plot that had previously been used as a walnut grove, planting mainly succulents, palms and cacti. She had apparently outgrown the gardens around her house (a problem that I’m becoming familiar with), and was able to create this garden from a blank canvas, planting it with mostly small plants in 1 gallon pots or less. This note is significant, because many of the plants are now enormous – huge agave and palms, as well as yucca and other drought tolerant plants.
I brought my sketchbook, but didn’t end up taking it out of my bag as I was content to just wander and look, and capture what I could on my phone. I couldn’t capture the majesty of the place on my phone, but it helped to record some of the shapes and textures that I’d like to study later in paint. I left with a feeling of calm and creative inspiration that has lasted into this week. Here are a few of the images that have been staying in my head (plus, bonus, a rare reel that I created on Instagram.) Enjoy!
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