NICE 2 MEET U
As a child I had the run of an idyllic spot, tucked into a birch & poplar grove looking out onto a shallow sand-bottomed lake, under night-time skies alight with aurora borealis. Many of my earliest childhood memories are about the beauty of nature.
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PRINCIPAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR
at Land
Tao Chamberlin
WRITER . DESIGNER . ARTIST . PLANNER
vision & enthusiasm
collaboration & interdisciplinary practice
sustainable social & environmental responsibility
WHo AM I?
I'm an adventurer who cares.
I grew up alongside Indigenous people, so Woods Cree culture has always informed my values -- those of compassion, courage, good humour, plus that we have an obligation to the land, to each other, & to future generations.
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In my province Saskatchewan, in Canada, & elsewhere on my travels, I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people & immersed in communities who care.
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Though my first language is English, I first started learning French as a toddler watching Sesame Street & never looked back. I've done all my studies, taught, worked, travelled, lived, & dreamed in French.
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Together, these have been instrumental in galvanizing my lifelong commitment to inspire & contribute to communities that are greener, more inclusive, happier, & healthier.
I never sat back & let things happen to me. As Da Vinci suggested, I went out & happened to things.
Most of my time as a kid was spent zipped into a life jacket in summer & a parka in winter. I've enjoyed a lifetime of canoeing, hiking, & camping.
I'm an adventurer.
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I regularly run off to travel the world, immersing myself in the culture & exploring out of the way pockets of the globe.
PLANT GEEK
I have a passion for plants, their beauty, their needs, the joys of seeing them grow, plus their benefits to our health. I love sharing that passion with others.
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As an avid plantswoman & gardener, I can recommend the right plant for the right place, alongside proper prep & planting to ensure future health. I experiment with plants in really tough spots, or test their hardiness. I routinely research new sustainable horticultural practices & expand my plant knowledge.
COMMUNITY BUILDER
I have a lifelong commitment to civic engagement & volunteerism, in my everyday & as an educator. Now, I want to inspire spaces centered on the needs of the people & the land.
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I’ve committed myself to the betterment of our communities both locally & internationally. Here at Land of the Living, I want to share stories about inspirational community development initiatives that are greening the globe & building stronger, sustainable communities.
COLLABORATOR
Much of my work has been about forging relationships, listening, building confidence, & connecting with people. I’m personable, & have infectious enthusiasm. I would love to hear about your stories
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The process of collaborating always fascinates me -- sharing, recognizing & appreciating the best ideas, then merging them. Ultimately, together we can create something better. Interested in sharing or collaborating?
Artist
DESIGNER
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As an artist I get to immerse myself in the spirit of a place, or a people, to explore an idea. As a designer I get to play. Garden & landscape design combines my experiences. You could say I'm creative by nature.
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I want to show you that good garden & landscape planting designs are an art form -- sculpture that weaves texture, pattern, light, movement, & colour into a 3D tapestry. They capture an atmosphere, a sense of place, or the character of the people who will use them. Yet they grow & change through the seasons, the good ones improving over time.
This is what I strive to capture in my own planting designs.
EDUCATOR
As a curious person & lifelong learner, I was naturally drawn to a teaching career. Educating others always seems to find its way into my working life.
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Always passionate & committed, I strive to foster curiosity, to inspire my students to think critically & imaginatively, to collaborate & be compassionate.
Here at LAND, I want to support & mentor both budding & experienced gardeners alike, inspiring you to plant a seed, learn a new skill, explore a new idea, or pick up a design pencil.
What do I bring to the table?
WHERE AM I?
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Although I'm an intrepid adventurer, I love coming home.
Saskatoon is a friendly place where people smile at each other & know their neighbours. A beautiful, green, dynamic, multicultural city bordering both sides of a river that weaves through the prairie parkland in Western Canada.