Welcome
I am a London based Landscape Architect, Garden Designer and Artist.
I trained as a horticulturist and through a Major in Garden Design discovered Landscape Architecture. I have 20+ years’ experience in Landscape Architecture of which the most recent has been in project management of large scale international projects including UK, France, Korea and Syria. I left formal employment in 2012 to explore Printmaking as an Art form, doing Etching, Screen Printing and botanical illustration. I will be exploring other mediums as well and look forward to painting again. My hands are itching to do some sculptures and if the opportunity and studio space arise, I would like to do a few ceramic bowls again. It has been at least 16 years since I last worked in either Stoneware and/or Porcelain. Some of my past work has been uploaded here. However, none of the above to the exclusion of garden and public realm design, even though I choose not to work in the field full time I remain interested and connected to the industry. I have started teaching Garden Design in the autumn of 2014 at the Putney School of Art and Design and have found this a positive experience. So much so that I will be doing another course in Spring 2015. In the past I have tried my hand at water colour, oils and ceramics and hope to explore these mediums again. I hope you enjoy the images on my website. Signup via email for newsletters and notifications of exhibitions and news. mailto:info@jaconel.com |
Art
From a childhood fascination in plants and nature and eventual training in horticulture, it is inevitable that plant material and nature would be a source of inspiration and find expression in my work. Through a combination of Fine art, Landscape & Garden Design as well as a grounding in Botanical Illustration, I have managed to hone my creative skills and continue to produce work by pushing my own boundaries of skill, knowledge and experience.
I have previously worked in clay (ceramics) with a solid training in Studio Pottery. During this time I developed a keen appreciation for the wheel thrown vessel. These are everyday objects that present the opportunity for us to enrich our lives with their simplicity of form, individuality of object and the craftsmanship required in the making. It has the added bonus of visual and tactile beauty during everyday use. |
Landscape & Garden Design
For me, gardens and public realm is about people as much as it is about design. Intended use informs the design and design has the power to influence the use of space. The design process is about feedback in both directions. The quality of design and the application of materials is key to the success of the project, regardless of budget.
It should not only satisfy the client brief, it should enhance it. It should seek to reflect the personality of the client in response to the brief while moulding it to the style and architecture of the house and it's interiors or in the case of public realm design, the urban space that it is part of. It should have an underlying structure that is timeless and a scale that resonates with both the user and it's surroundings. It should remain in keeping with it's context and allow for seasonal changes and fashion trends to make it's marks. This does not mean toeing the line. It may also mean that the user is challenged in their perception of what is accepted norm. We should not fear to be bold to explore in our endeavour to enhance. I also believe that space making present endless opportunity for public art and that the design of space has the ability itself to be art. |