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A ramshackle 80 - year - onetime farmhouse fence by 6 acres of rampant weeds , bramble , and invasive Himalayan blackberries barely describes a property you would daydream of transform into a beautiful Oriental garden . However , when acclaimed clayware creative person Robin Hopper spotted this run - down dimension in Metchosin , British Columbia , he fell in love with it at first mass .

Robin Hopper ’s aesthetic style and love of the Orient is on full display in his lush garden on the West Coast of Canada . “ Somebody once said garden aim must be the dull of the visual arts . How true , but it is also one of the most complex and satisfying , ” he says in his e - bookA Potter ’s Garden — An Artist ’s Approach to originative Garden - Making . Photo by : Robin Hopper .

“ I do it that I ’d found something particular , ” say Hopper in his e - book , A Potter ’s Garden : An Artist ’s approaching to originative Garden - Making . “ It was like entering a cathedral . At the front of the theater , Douglas firs — some over 700 class old — soared as high as 120 foot , forming an ancient orchard with the driveway drop away into their midst . think what was going on then in the world as these tree diagram were starting to grow . ”

Garden, Spring
Robin Hopper (Homeowner)
Metchosin, British Columbia

Three link pool filled with koi and goldfish sit down among a setting of 11 unlike types of Japanese maples and a variety of rhododendron . In the fall , the maples supply a continuum of color , embark on in August and going on until December . Photo by : Robin Hopper .

“ As both a prospicient - time professional creative person and avid amateur gardener , I have noticed that , for me , the most visually exciting , personal , and mentation - elicit garden have usually been those make by artist who go in a variety of visual art media , ” say Hopper . His two-fold passions for ceramics and gardening have always gone hand - in - hand . From the outset , his concept was to approach the garden as he does his other works of artwork — as a medium for utter ideas , call forth memories , and stirring the pot .

Hopper ’s “ Bridge on the River Koi ” sweep a juiceless river bed made from 100 fish - determine porcelain tiles , with colored glazes resembling different varieties of Japanese koi . exposure by : Robin Hopper .

Garden, Spring
Robin Hopper (Homeowner)
Metchosin, British Columbia

“ In addition to giving immense pleasure to me and my family , the garden has been love by M of people and has been boast in a bit of horticulture magazines , books , and television show , ” says Hopper . “ For quite some clock time I tried to analyze what it was about the garden that intrigued hoi polloi to such an extent . I have come to the conclusion that it work as it does because of the wide range of influences in the garden , the sources where I find my intake , and the path in which a variety of different art experience are combine to produce a unexampled work of art where the whole is majuscule than the sum of money of its parts . "

“ All enceinte Nipponese gardens usually have a logic gate for the Emperor in the unlikely event that the Emperor hold up there , ” says Hopper . This one is surrounded by various specie of rhododendrons . picture by : Robin Hopper .

InA Potter ’s Garden , Hopper takes a feel at garden design through the eyes and psyche of an artist . “ I hope to suggest how artists go about incorporating thoughts and methods from diverse area of artwork and commingle them into a extremely personal space that pass away way beyond the convention - base approach to garden design , ” he enjoin . you’re able to get word more about Hopper ’s work atChosin Pottery Inc.

Garden, Spring
Robin Hopper (Homeowner)
Metchosin, British Columbia

Hopper made this Greco - Roman inspire rotunda using logs he find on the beach . It ’s cap by a dome made from a 10 - foundation - extensive TV orbiter beauty covered with three different varieties of honeysuckle . The “ pebble ” mosaic flooring is made from pieces of colored porcelain . Photo by : Robin Hopper .

See another garden in British Columbia : My Garden : Using Planters and Pathways to Lure the centre

Garden, Spring
Robin Hopper (Homeowner)
Metchosin, British Columbia