Artists/naturalists Lee Zieke and Lindsay Lee have long been known around the area for their work in landscape gardening and as growers of perennial flowers.
Lesser known are their talents with willow and other natural materials like birch bark and riven green wood. Their baskets and boxes are the perfect companion of beauty and functionality.
“There is something magic” says Lee when you can take this pile of sticks and by bending and twisting them the right way, this lovely form comes into being.”
Together Lee and Lindsay grow their own willow in a coppice patch covering about three acres. By harvesting (cutting) the stems near the ground each year, a crop of graceful flexible weaver rods is produced.
“It really is a renewable resource”. says Lindsay. “With the birch bark it’s more of a salvage operation, as it is harvested ahead of the logging crews. Traditionally it is done without harming the tree.”
In the studio the bark is peeled back to reveal the inner layers, cut, decorated and bent into the versatile storage canister. They are inspired by traditional Scandinavian birch work.
Please consider this an invitation to visit Lee and Lindsay’s rural studio and see their projects along with the raw materials utilized in their work.
www.willowglennursery.com
Artist Listing – Lee and Lindsay
Artist Listing – Lindsay