On Saturday, two friends and I attended the first of three lectures on The Reign of Rice at Brookgreen Gardens.
The Reign of Rice series explore the Gullah Geechee heritage as it related to the production of rice on SC plantations.
After the lecture, we walked the paths and saw camellias starting to bloom and large swaths of daffodils growing.
Brookgreen is a combination of amazing sculptures, live oaks dripping with moss, incredible assortment of plants, and miles of walking paths.
We visit regularly to get our exercise, but also to see what has changed since the last visit. The gardens cover 9,100 acres so there are always noticeable differences, and they have an unlimited supply of talented artists on display.
This past week we saw the unbelievable exhibit of wildlife art by Trailer McQuilkin. You’ve heard the expression, ooh and aah, well that is exactly what we did as we walked around this exhibit. My photos taken through glass do not do his work justice so check out his website for better shots.
Mr. McQuilkin lives and works in Mississippi. His wildflower sculptures are unique, beautiful, and so realistic it is hard to understand how he creates them out of copper.
Sheet copper, copper wire, metal primer, oil paints, and natural materials are all part of the tool kit he uses to creates these magnificent pieces of art. Each piece takes from two to five months from start to finish.
They are so far out of my budget, it makes me smile. But, I am extremely grateful that Brookgreen Gardens offers us an opportunity see art of this quality. Happy Monday.
Planning to be in the Myrtle Beach area? Brookgreen Gardens is located at 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576, off US Highway 17 Bypass, between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island. Tickets are free for children under 4, $8 for children 4-12, $16 for adults 13-64, and $14 for seniors 65 and over.
How beautiful and how clever! It’s lovely to be able to see wonderful art that may be well outside our budget but well within our appreciation! 🙂
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I like that – “outside our budget but well within our appreciation.” Describes it perfectly. 🙂
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It happens often to us when we go round the galleries! 🙂
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Ooh! Aah! What a talented artist. These are beyond beautiful. They wouldn’t be in my budget either, but I sure can admire and appreciate the beauty and creativity.
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I hope they’re there on our next visit because I’ll go back and admire them some more. 🙂
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What a talent McQuilkin is! You are so fortunate to be within visiting distance of that beautiful site. I’ve visited but haven’t seen a fraction of what is offered.
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That surely is a good reason for a return visit. 🙂
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I would never guess that they aren’t real!! All I can say is WOW!
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I hear ‘copper,’ and I think pipes. What skills this gentleman has. 🙂
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gorgeous pics today and i am familiar with Gullah geechee since i was born and raised in Savannah GA… i love visitng gardens
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I’ve been to Savannah a couple of times and one word comes to mind – beautiful. 🙂 I find the history behind Gullah Geechee to be fascinating. They were true artisans in many other areas as well. 🙂
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Utterly amazing sculpture! The artist has a true appreciation for his subject. I’m glad you are so close to this garden while away for the winter. It wouldn’t be vacation if you were missing this element in your life!
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I was so hoping you’d stop by for this post because I knew in my heart you of all people would appreciate this man’s artistic talent. The realism is truly breathtaking. 🙂
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Wowsah! In fact, double wowsah! Those flowers are exquisite, and Brookgreen Gardens sound like a gem..
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If you ever get in the neighborhood, I really think you’d appreciate it. 🙂
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I’m sure I would!
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Stunning art, Judy. It reminds me the Fabergé’s flowers. What an amazing technique, isn’t surprising that is expensive.
Thanks for sharing!
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That is a great comparison. 🙂
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Nadezda, no matter how many times I try to comment on your posts it won’t let me. I’m guessing it is lack of cooperation between blogging platforms. I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday and many more to come. Have a great evening with family and friends. 🙂
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Amazing work.
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I love Brookgreen Gardens.
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Those sculptures are beautiful. Sadly, I won’t be making an offer, but it was good to see one under 5-figures.
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If you hadn’t told me they were created out of copper, I would have thought these were real. How beautiful.
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen sculptured flowers like these before, they are absolutely beautiful. Is the last one called Salt Marsh Mellow…it is lovely. I just had a look through the link to the Brookgreen gardens…..wow! I’d love to spend time in the Botanical gardens and the rest…all 9100 acres.
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Yes, the last one is the Salt March Mellow as well. They just take your breath away. And, I do think you’d love it there. 🙂
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Those flowers are gorgeous! What talent he has.
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They don’t look like sculpture. They look completely real … if maybe a bit too perfect.
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They’re amazing. Just amazing. I suppose the artist’s medium is the artist’s medium for a reason. Lovely share.
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These sculptures are phenomenal! Thanks for sharing them. Have you ever seen the glass flowers at Harvard’s Peabody Museum? They were made in the 1800s in Germany as teaching tools and are are amazingly realistic.
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I have never seen them in person, but just googled them and their stunning beauty is amazing as well. Plus when you think about the tools they didn’t have it takes it up a notch. Thank you for sharing that info.
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Brookgreen Gardens sounds absolutely wonderful! I’m so glad that you are able to visit often, Judy. I have only seen photos of camellias growing and moss hanging from the trees. I really must visit them one day! Oh my! These Wildflower sculptures are absolutely exquisite!! Enjoy every moment, Judy! ♡
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Genuine flowers are more affordable, but WOW!
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They are incredibly delicate I do wonder how they could be made to look so lifelike. Plenty of space to exercise in the 9100 acres…
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As a gardener, you certainly would appreciate their beauty. And, yes, there is always a new path to walk. 🙂
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Love the wildflower sculpture!! Incredible!
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This sounds like a perfect outing for you! Another reason to go South–gardens year round!
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They are so beautiful! Let’s buy some real ones 🙂
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You brought up an interesting topic. At home, we have local nurseries/greenhouses where you go to buy plants/shrubs/trees. In SC, I’ve tried to find one to check out local plants and there are none. The queries send you to Lowes or Home Depot. I’m still looking so I can go buy some. 🙂
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Awe, hope you do find them.
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Beautiful! I will check out the link, yes! 🙂
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Your photos are amazing! I love flowers! Thank you and greetings.
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You had me with the sun on the camellia, but then you completely blew me away with the sculptures. What amazements. Also I loved so many of the words in this post: Brookgreen Gardens, Gullah Geechee, Trailer McQuilkin, The Reign of Rice. Sometimes the sounds of words are as enticing as their meanings, and I think these are great examples. I also loved your comment about “always a new path to walk.” Spoken like a true gardener.
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Mr. McQuilkin’s work is outstanding…they remind me of the glass flowers at Harvard. The gardens sound like a wonderful place to visit.
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Glad you’re enjoying MB.
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A few years ago we spent Christmas at Edisto Island in SC, not too far from Myrtle Beach. A fascinating and beautiful part of the country, though overdevloped in some spots. I wish I had known about Brookgreen Gardens. Maybe we’ll get to see it during another trip.
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I looked up Edisto Island, and it is about 123 miles from here. Thank you for the info just in case I get that far south. Yes, I think you would enjoy Brookgreen Gardens. 🙂
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I also like the ‘out of budget but not appreciation’.
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Great job!!amazing flower!
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