Bridgehampton - As a landscape designer I have many opportunities to suggest a beautiful water element, artifact and/or original sculpture to my garden designs. Many people seem to think that they are out of the art sculpture collecting league if they cannot afford an original Moore or Brancusi, of course that is not so, one has only to investigate the wonderful array of sculpture offered by local and international art galleries.

Bronze Sculpture by artist Linda Brunker adds a whimsical addition to this garden.

Sometimes a sculptor's style may attract you while visiting and or passing a location where the sculpture is being showcased. Any art expression that grabs you and makes you feel and take pause is the right art for you!

I love discovering first a style of sculpture that speaks to me, then visualizing its position on the grounds I am designing - and now with technology to assist us.

When possible I create a digital composite of the sculpture and the location for me and my clients to complete the visualization. Given the right combination of artist, agent and client, often the sculptor is willing to have the potential collector live with the piece for a brief time.

A sculpture should always be an extension of the beauty, mystery and often whimsy of the garden and its owners as well. I personally love the excitement of the clients' delight in sharing the new addition to their garden or home's beauty with friends families and visitors.

From my experience, sculpture always brings great pleasure to its owners during private meditative moments, as well as when sharing.

Sculpture as a focal point, or sometimes just around the bend can elevate one's spirit. The reminiscent feeling of awe in its craftsmanship, and the sense of stability within the ever-changing changelessness.

Winter photo of proposed location of sculpture. Sculpture superimposed onto photo. This is a valuable tool to use when planning sculpture in a garden.

Once you have introduced a dimensional organic object such as stone, metal or bronze to your gardens you will become very comfortable in the concept. Choosing a piece of work is an individual choice. One can only be introduced to art and sculpture. Then the connection (if there is one) takes place and you begin to feel comfortable and even familiar with the piece.

Creating your own sculpture is another way to go. People who are artistic and crafty can begin to see potential in objects that can possibly be welded together, painted and presented as sculpture. Also wire forms are beginning to surface again. Stone and Totems are a natural of course. But before you go sculpting in Carrera Marble you had better take a couple of lessons in Italy (wink).

As a designer and artist I always felt that there is a tremendous lack of local Indian tribal art such as totems. I am presently researching artifact/totem crafts of the Shinnecocks and the Montauks. Throughout the years I have created Zen Gardens, Tea Gardens, Herb Gardens, French Gardens, Roman Gardens, but I have never been asked to create a local Shinnecock Indian themed garden.

As you may agree, there is a rich and fading history here. Paying tribute to the East End's cultural past can be a beautiful, enlightening and enriching experience.