Interview with Arborsculptor Richard Charles Reames
Thank you, Mr. Richard Reames for granting this interview. What you do with living plant material is totally amazing. With such a wonderful site (www.arborsmith.com) thank you for sharing a little bit extra with our readers.
As a nursery owner, artist, author, and father, how do you time manage yourself?
I don't I just let each day unfold.
What do you consider your best attributes in accomplishing your work?
Visions of possible futures and patience.
I love your motto: "This is the place where houses are planted, chairs are watered, tables are pruned, tools are harvested, and fences grow taller and stronger as the years go by." Living in an octagonal home, have you ever yearned for something other?
Yes living in a living home.
You have stated that by now you can make a living from your art. Was this difficult along the way?
No I found that by living simply all our needs were covered.
Have there been others, aside from Axel Erlandson, who have been an inspiration?
Every other tree shaper I have found, they all approach the art from a different angle. They all inspire me.
You have mentioned that only about six people in the world are doing the same type of tree molding. Are you in contact with these people?
Yes the English speakers anyway.
Free spirits are appreciated all over the world but often pay the penalty for acceptance by the norm. Do you feel this at all?
Yes unfortunately new ideas a generally rejected out of hand just because they are new. Time will eventually move the art from new to old.
Why have you chosen only to work with living trees and plant material?
From a ecological perspective nurturing life helps the environment. Trees and forests are the most stabilizing life forms on earth. Anything that leads to more trees on earth is a good thing I'm sure.
What tree material do you find the most willing to work for you?
So far Poplar, Alder, Pin Oak.
Do you not feel that perhaps by changing the natural habitat of a growing tree it is making it "not natural"?
Sure but still more natural than killing it to make it do what you want.
What does your nursery encompass?
One acre.
With over 200 trees growing in pots, it appears you are planning for the future?
Yes it's difficult to know what sort of demand to prepare for.
Do you feel your work borders on being whimsical?
It swallows whimsical whole.
I think you have found a wonderful match incorporating your love of horticulture, botany, and art, together. Any plans for "branching out" other than the nursery?
We are negotiating to plant a whole village of living tree houses with living furniture in Japan.
What does the extreme future hold for this art form?
In the future people will live by the motto "if it can live let it live" everything we have and everything we do and everything we would consider buying will in some way embrace life.
Visit Richard Reames' site at www.arborsmith.com
Read his biography