Sisters artist will share her garden

Katie Franks-Crabb, aka The Garden Angel, comes by her artistic flair via a formidable gene pool. Grandmothers and great-grandmothers, on both sides of her family, were renowned artists, one of them being the first woman to have her paintings displayed at a World's Fair, in 1907.

Her children have all inherited the artistic talents, said Katie. "They all received those gifts, the family jewels."

She adds that they skipped her father and mother.

In celebration of her artistic gift, and because she has a lovely garden to share with people, Katie is opening her garden, located at 573 S. Spruce St., on Friday evening, September 26, from 4 to 7 p.m., and again on Saturday, September 27, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Katie will display and have for sale a new collection of paintings; her daughter, Julie Cox has earrings on offer; and Sisters resident, Nancy Reuter is selling notecards and handmade rugs. On Friday, Cork Cellars of Sisters is presenting and pouring a special wine, just for the occasion. Katie isn't divulging anything more about it, except to say that it is unique to the evening.

The theme of the open garden, which coincides with Sisters in Sisters, is "Honoring the connections we create among women." This is a theme dear to Katie's heart; she comes from a family of sturdy pioneer women who settled in the Fort Rock area, overcoming long odds to survive. Through it all, they recognized, appreciated and revered their art, even in the midst of hard lives.

When Katie began her work as a landscaper, she was told by her boss to "be an artist in the clients' gardens." She was already a painter, and found an equally satisfying outlet in making a garden an outdoors canvas.

For many years she painted lovely paintings, now displayed in many homes around Sisters. A long spell of painter's block hit several years ago after the death of her partner, Carl Leonhardy.

"I needed time to grieve and heal," she said.

Katie spent the next five years doing just that, running her landscape maintenance company, The Garden Angel, meeting new clients and navigating her way back into love and art. She is happily married now, and is celebrating a return to her painting easel.

"I have a renewed spirit, more and different passion," she said.

All are welcome to the garden, to view and purchase the art and enjoy the company of others who celebrate life. The garden, too, is a testament to survival - most of the plants were destined for the dump. They thrive now, and spend the warm season growing. Katie, too, is happy to be in her own warm season.