Making a Sculpture Garden in a Small Space

Most sculpture gardens are designed to highlight and call immediate attention to the works on display. But in this Carmel, Calif., garden, most of the sculptures blend into the landscape, rather than stand out.

The result is a gradual awareness of the works, rather than instant comprehension - similar to walking through the woods and suddenly realizing the trees are full of birds.

And seeing Eleen Auvil's sculptures is akin to bird-watching, since birds are among her favorite subjects.

As you move through her garden, bronze cranes peek through a screen of living bamboo. A metal rooster perches on a pot. And stork-like creatures watch from the shadows.

Auvil, an acclaimed sculptor and monotype artist who has lived and worked for several decades on the Monterey Peninsula, recently applied her artistic sensibilities to her newly-built home and garden.

Her yard space, like most found on Carmel's postage-stamp lots, is limited, so every feature counts. "Every inch is valuable in a garden like this," she notes.

Although sculpture gardens might seem to be something reserved for rich or artsy folk, if you love sculpture, it's a wonderful way to display it. And well-made pieces of bronze and stone are sturdy and won't be hurt by rain or cold.

A little sculpture can go a long way, especially in small yards. That's why Auvil's pieces blend so well into her yard - they're small in scale, a perfect fit for their surroundings.

Bronze sculptures, like the ones that populate her garden, are ideal for outdoor display. Bronze typically develops a pleasing patina when exposed to the elements, and holds up well to all kinds of weather.

Some of her sculptures are installed on wooden posts, while others rest on the ground.

Her sculpture garden is a highly personal one. In addition to her own works, she also has several stone carvings by another local artist, the late Burt Conaghan. Mounted on a low wall, these range from a Mayan head made of granite to a squirrel of pink Italian marble. The Asian theme of her surroundings is enhanced by vintage chrysanthemum lanterns.