Brian Cooper makes driftwood art from pieces he and Beverly collect on Prince Edward Island beaches in spring and fall. At Heron's Nest Sanctuary in Mont Carmel, the finished work appears as wine cradles, golf ball displays and art for the house and gardens. The gallery includes photographs of the finished pieces.
Where does the driftwood come from?
Brian and Beverly gather pieces during their beach walks on PEI. The water and shore have already shaped each one before Brian brings it home. He washes and treats the wood, then works with its form to make a finished piece.
A low, curved piece can hold a wine bottle along its length, while an upright branch can support a golf ball. The gallery shows both kinds of work, along with larger pieces displayed outside.
The beach walks are part of Brian and Beverly's story. They moved to PEI, built the gardens around their Mont Carmel home over seven and a half years, and now share the property with guests. Driftwood brings a material from the Island's shore into the rooms and garden spaces they have made.
What kinds of driftwood pieces does Brian make?
The wine cradles are shaped to display a bottle. Some hold it upright and others hold it on its side. The photographs on the Driftwood page show both arrangements, so you can see how each bottle sits in the wood.
Brian also makes golf ball displays. One pictured piece holds two balls; another uses a tall, curved branch. A few include a plaque, making room for a particular round or memory.
Outside, larger roots, logs and branches become yard and garden art. The gallery shows pieces near the deck, driveway and lawn. They sit among the plantings and stonework rather than in a separate display room.
Can you see the pieces at Heron's Nest?
The Driftwood page is an online gallery of Brian's work, with separate sections for wine cradles, golf ball displays and yard art. Guests can also see some of the garden pieces around the property during a stay.
The website does not list prices or accept orders for driftwood art. If a particular piece interests you, ask Brian and Beverly directly whether it is available. The photographs are the best starting point because each piece has a different shape and purpose.
Explore the Driftwood gallery to see the pieces, or read the Stay page for details about visiting Heron's Nest Sanctuary in Mont Carmel.