Southern Artist Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork

Patrick Dougherty: Uff-Da Palace. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum of the University of Minnesota, Chaska, MN 2010. Photo: Todd Mulvihill

Fall is almost upon us, even though I am ready to savor these last summer days. I have bought school supplies and sent the children off to school today. This brings my mind to football, tailgates, pumpkins, corn mazes and fall forest walks in the brisk air. I would love to happen upon the works below on my forest walk.

I am a tad obsessed with the work of landscape artist, Patrick Dougherty. He is a Chapel Hill, North Carolina artist who does exterior sculptural work using found branches, saplings and sticks. The designs are breathtaking and imaginative. The works usually begin to break down in the natural elements within a year or two. They come from the land and return to the land, beautiful from start to finish.

Check out his website to see more. You can purchase his book Stickwork. It is a favorite of mine.

Below are some of his awe inspiring works.

Summer Palace2009. Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA.

Photo: Rob Cardillo

Portrait of the artist with “Just for Looks” in 2006

Here’s Looking At You, 2009
Bosque School, Albuquerque, NM, Photo credit: Richard Levy

“Sortie de Cave / Free At Last” (2008) at the Jardin des Arts, Chateaubourg, France. Photo credit: Charles Crie.

“Just Around the Corner”; Photo © Doyle Dean

Here is a wonderful article on the artist by The New York Times. It is worth a read. He is an incredibly interesting man with a creative talents not to be denied.

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