LANDSCAPE ART

When J.R. and Holly Kramer look at a landscape, they see more than just the trees and plants that create it

by LIESEL SCHMIDT / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

“The outdoor environment is our palette , and we get to paint broad strokes through the designs we create,” says J.R. Kramer, who owns Remark Landscape Architecture with his wife, Holly. In addition to their commercial and residential landscape design projects, the couple has collaborated on mixed-media sculpture and installation art and had the distinction of showing their work at Piccolo Spoleto in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“We form an elevated aesthetic ecology on a site through the consideration of innovative drainage solutions and responsible uses of native plants, enhancing the form and function of a landscape,” Kramer explains. “Every project is a bespoke design that caters to the client, much like a commissioned painting. No two are identical, just as all our clients are different and each landscape is different.”

Sixteen years ago, when the couple used their combined talents and expertise to launch Remark Landscape Architecture, the world looked different in so many ways—including the level of technology and types of materials available. But theirs was a desire to build something innovative, and that spirit of innovation, along with collaboration and stewardship, has been part of their core values since Remark's beginning. “We apply those values to the environment and to our relationships with our clients,” says Kramer “We approach every project with intention and excellence and aim to provide everyone with the highest-quality design services, regardless of budget.”

Holly Kramer, a Georgia native who moved to Charleston in 1999, holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia and began her professional career at a landscape architectural firm in Charleston. It was there that she dug her fingers into master planning and construction observation, as well as site and planting design, and her skills at project management put her on the fast track.

Like his wife, Ohio native J.R. Kramer received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia—a degree he pursued after being stationed in Charleston during his time with the U.S. Air Force. It was the gardens he saw in Charleston that led him to landscape architecture, and after his time at university, he moved back to Charleston, where he worked for various firms that provided him with a great deal of experience in diverse environments and varied focuses. Over the course of his years with these firms, Kramer gained proficiency in site planning, master planning, native planting design, construction documents and construction observation.

Together, the Kramers have a collaborative strength, dedication to sustainability and desire to exceed expectation that gives their company an edge. They also have a distinct perspective that distinguishes them from other firms. “Our unique style and skill for extrapolating the needs of the native landscape and creating cohesive designs while also incorporating the Lowcountry’s rich Charleston Garden heritage sets us apart,” J.R. Kramer says. “We also listen really closely to clients and provide unique designs that bring the client’s wishes to life. We respect and take note of the architecture of the home, the site, and even the home’s interior and merge our designs with those elements. Our clients experience the highest level of customer service, a thoughtful approach to design and our core values in action: innovation, collaboration and stewardship—not only of the land but of their design dollars. We are involved through the whole project, from site analysis to construction, and we’re accessible at every stage for questions and concerns.”

Over the past 16 years, Remark has grown into a regionalbased design firm with nine employees and has put its mark on private gardens, commercial projects, public parks and institutional projects throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas. And while they have a reputation for excellence in their projects, the Remark team is hardly resting on their laurels—figuratively or otherwise. “We continue striving to be the best landscape architecture firm in the region through constant improvement in our design skills and how we operate as a business,” Kramer says. “We look to grow and expand our studio, team, influence and services in the Southeast. Landscape architecture has drastically changed since graduating in 1999, but we stay on top of things by hiring the best talent, with even more knowledge about current technology than Holly and I have, and by continuing our education, honing our skills and always evaluating our work for ways we can improve. We’re always looking for how we can do better, in our processes, our designs and our stewardship.”

Remark’s work can be seen in a number of award-winning residential and commercial projects throughout the region. They recently completed a design for a premier home in Ocean Park on Kiawah Island that they consider to be one of the firm’s top projects to date. They have also completed projects for several uniquely modern homes on Daniel Island that add to the community’s architectural diversity. Current projects include an entire city block in Rock Hill and numerous residential projects in historic Charleston, Old Village in Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Captain’s Island on Daniel Island, Bray’s Island, Kiawah Island and Palmetto Bluff. *

Liesel Schmidt lives in Navarre, Florida, and works as a freelance writer for local and regional magazines. She is also a web content writer and book editor. Follow her on Twitter at @laswrites or download her novels, Coming Home to You, The Secret of Us and Life Without You, at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Remark Landscape Architecture

1859 SUMMERVILLE AVE., SUITE 550

CHARLESTON, SC 29405

843.952.7817

REMARKSTUDIOLLC.COM

With one of the best views in Charleston, come join us for happy hour Monday - Friday from 4-7pm. Select Spirits, Beer & Wine specials perfect for an afternoon on Shem Creek.

Through His Eyes

F

by DANA W. TODD moment is right to capture a moody landscape or the movement of the wildlife he is tracking.

His most recent collection, Majestic Creatures, catalogues his East African trip last summer across three vast land masses in Kenya known for wildlife sightings: Lumo Community Wildlife Conservancy; Maasai Mara, which is highly ranked for wildlife viewing and where Patel photographed many lions; and Amboseli National Park, famous for its 1,500 free-ranging elephants and views of Mount Kilimanjaro across the border in Tanzania. The result is a series of nine limited-edition framed fine art prints of giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, wildebeests and zebras in their natural habitats, going about their daily routines. Patel stayed in Kenya for two weeks, with full days that began before sunrise and ended after sunset, bouncing across the SerengetiMara ecosystem and watching and waiting for the perfect photo opportunity.

“You begin to understand the animals’ daily cycles, such as how the elephants emerge each morning in their large herd of extended family members to search for food and water. The cycles continue day in and day out, and you get a sense of being with them and understanding them,” Patel says. “One of the most satisfying feelings on earth is seeing wildlife in its natural habitat.” The trek of one family of elephants is expressed in the photo Pilgrimage, part of the Majestic Creatures collection.

Although Patel previously traveled to Africa several times, his intention for this latest expedition was to create a new collection of artwork showcasing distinguishing moments of animals in motion that he experienced during his immersion in the wilderness. While especially focused on photographing elephants, he tracked daily migrations of many of the animals in their quest for food, water and social interaction. Many of his photos show the unique patterns and markings on animals, such as cheetahs and giraffes. Other photographs capture animals in seemingly peaceful repose, surveying their territories, such as the photo Royal Gaze, of a lion gazing into the morning magic of Maasai Mara. Capturing the shots was anything but restful. “Dust filled every crack and crevice of the open Land Cruiser, including camera equipment and clothing,” Patel says. “The days were long and hot but the mornings and evenings cold. I spent many hours in awe simply watching a herd of hundreds of elephants as they fed and crossed a dry lake bed. Getting that perfect shot often required waiting in the same position for hours, but it was all worth it.”

Patel spends hours researching and scouting potential shoot locations, looking for inspiration and discovering when and where to go to capture photos that are different from what’s been photographed by other artists. By the time this article is published, he will have photographed locations on six of the world’s seven continents, with the most recently completed trek having taken place earlier this year to Antarctica, where he photographed penguins, whales and icebergs. Always mixing wildlife and landscape photography, Patel has plans in the near future to travel to Northern Canada and Svalbard to photograph polar bears and to Alaska to digitally capture grizzly bears in action. With only Australia left to conquer, he has established a dream lineup of expeditions for the next couple of years.

“During these trips, I don’t follow any specific rules during my creative process,” he explains. “I experiment with the technical aspects of the camera and put my own spin on the material in order to help others see nature through my eyes. I’m inspired by the captivating and striking elements of photography, combining techniques from portraits, architecture and even sports to create dynamic and engaging shots. My photography captures earth in its raw form, reminding people of the need to preserve nature in its beauty.”

Traveling is second nature to Patel, who grew up in a family of travelers and adventurers. He has experienced freezing mountain temperatures, active volcanoes and hot desert landscapes. These experiences inform other collections, including his fine art photography captured in the Desert, Mountains, Seascape & Waterfalls, Abstract and Architecture series. Over the years, he has received international attention for his wildlife and nature photography, and it’s his “spin” on the subject matter that makes them truly fine art.

“In my life, I’ve experienced the vastness of nature while taking photos of the freezing temperatures of Banff National Park or volcanic lava flows. Through my photos of these places, I hope to share a bit of the amazing experiences with my viewers. I hope my audience will come away with a slightly different view of the world and an appreciation for simple beauty that many overlook,” Patel says. “It’s our duty to maintain Earth so these majestic animals can continue to roam this planet.”

Patel’s newest Majestic Creatures collection is on display at the Christopher Martin Gallery, with locations in Houston and Dallas, and Aspen and Vail, Colorado. *

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and art.

Mital Patel Fine Art Photography

214.491.8095

MITALPATELPHOTO.COM