Lawn Art Catching On in Tulare

Tulare - Say it on the lawn.

That could be the new slogan for Gowin Green Landscape Service with its new lawn art offering.

The new art form is something new for Shea and James Gowin, who are assisted by their sons, Bryce and Andrew. It is an outgrowth of a service they provided for foreclosed properties where the lawn had not been kept alive. That service is applying a green pigment to the lawn to make it look fresh.

“So, I thought why can't we paint lawns like they do on football fields,” said Shea.
In October, she did her own lawn with a big jack-o-lantern. “People thought that was neat,” she said, so she did something for Thanksgiving.

She did quite a few yards for Christmas and is hopeful it will be popular with football fans for the Super Bowl. However, it can be used for almost anything – including Valentine's Day, proposals for marriage, birth announcements and happy birthdays.
“People are responding to it. They want lawn art on their own lawn,” she said.
She said the art can last up to three weeks, depending on conditions and how fast the lawn grows.

“If you want to get rid of it faster, just water more,” she explained.

She says she works with Graphic Creations in Tulare on some of the more elaborate artwork, but can do much herself. There are a few standard templates to work with as well, and some is done freehand.

Size and cost varies. For large pieces the cost can go as high as $125, but the smaller pieces run between $15 and $50. An example is a four-foot-tall candy cane for $15. She said she did a large snowman with snowflakes for $125.

“It can be customized to your budget, size and taste,” she said.

It takes her from just a few minutes to more than an hour to create the lawn art.
So far, the company is promoting its lawn art on its web site – Gowingreen.com – and word of mouth. For more information, call them at 303-9039.

She is planning a large “2010” for New Year's and that will be posted on their website.

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