Today we’d like to introduce you to Heath Thibodeaux.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Becoming a landscape architect was an epiphany perhaps. I had no real reason to consider myself artistic in any capacity. Painting, sculpting, drawing and or any type of artistic endeavor weren’t things that I had ever dreamt about much less done. The son of an engineer and housewife, I was certain the construction side of the profession was where I would land. I would soon discover that creating livable spaces was in my heart and that space and the way it’s articulated had such a bearing on how people perceived, felt and engaged the built environment. It’s such a powerful thing.
Space or ‘Ma’ (a Japanese term, in time or place) became such an overarching influence on me during an internship in Tokyo. Despite many of the academic ideals that fell to the wayside, the sense of space and my desire to foster, facilitate, embellish, create, and/or manipulate it have never wavered as a young professional. As most of the major events in my life, the start of my boutique firm was almost by chance but 5 years ago I reached out to several friends / colleagues and with their vote of confidence and support here we are. Whether it’s a 5000-acre ranch, 30-acre boutique farm or 500 square foot courtyard, working with clients to shape their dream exterior space into reality is a real blessing.
Please tell us about your art. What do you do / make / create? How? Why? What’s the message or inspiration, what do you hope people take away from it? What should we know about your artwork?
If you haven’t caught it yet, it’s creating space and as a landscape architect, it’s exterior space. Landscape architecture, as defined by The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture is “The art and science of creating open-air spaces as environments for human life”. Yes, we know a little about plants but it’s more than just plants. It’s about understanding the way people use space, how static structures and / living plants influence it, what season, the context and what existed in that space before you entered it. It’s part and parcel to all these things and the comprehension of and an ability to implement with them in an appropriate aesthetic, in my opinion, is the art of landscape architecture.
When done well, a space is capable of comforting, inspiring and / rejuvenating a user and this along with the process of developing these with a client is a real joy. If you’re blessed with the prospect of creating a space, please don’t miss the opportunity to work with a professional that inspires you to consider the many aspects of a garden that should give new life as it evolves and grows with you. Landscape architecture at any level is such a fun thing to experience.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
We all have a moral obligation to respect one another and this goes beyond being an artist or design professional. This is our obligation as human beings. ‘Respect’ it can change the environment you live in.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Any and all support is very much appreciated and that can be done several ways. Like us, follow us or contact us for your next project. We can be found on Instagram at #eauxgram, on facebook @hjtland, or LinkedIn Heath J. Thibodeaux. Don’t hesitate to email me at heath@hjtland.com.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 713.256.5948
- Email: heath@hjtland.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/eauxgram
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/hjtland
- Other: www.houzz.com/user/hjtland
Image Credit:
Heath J. Thibodeaux
Jonathan Ivy
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