can’t stand.” The backyard also has transitions but presents different challenges to Gordon. “The backyard is just bizarre. It’s a very intimate and personal place for people. Family functions and dysfunctions happen in backyards, memories are made, and friends come over. It’s very intimate. A lot of times, if there’s been an issue someone will say, ‘Let’s go in the backyard and talk' to resolve something or plan a surprise or something.” Gordon believes that backyard landscaping is important in Bakersfield as it is where people are going to be spending most of their time. “I don’t care if it’s 110 (degrees) that day. People section off in yards – some people get in the pool, some people are over at the bar, and they just bump like bumper cars all night long. It’s a very intimate space.” Gordon finds that the basic design of most backyards doesn’t leave anything to the imagination. You shouldn’t be able to walk outside and see the entire yard at once; there should be different levels and areas for privacy. “When you plant with depth and at different sizes and levels, then the yard will feel huge. Adding sound (and) adding small, medium, and large spaces provide distinct views from inside windows and then outside looking back at the house.” Gordon takes in as much as he can when meeting with clients.
“The interview is to get enough information from the client about what they want to see and what they are excited about doing—and mostly, what they don’t like about their backyard. A lot of people will say, ‘Oh can you plant something to hide that,’ and I say, ‘How about I plant something better so that you don’t look at that?’ I don’t necessarily want to put a Band-Aid over a telephone pole sticking up in the corner of your yard. David Gordon How about if we give the Master landscape artist eye something better to look Outdoor Galore at so you don’t even realize 6801 White Lane the telephone pole is there 831-1179 anymore?” Gordon still paints (his art shows typically sell out) and is well connected in the community through associations, such as the Downtown Business Association board, the chamber, Leadership Bakersfield, and CASA (to name a few), but he is excited to use his creativity to beautify people’s lives outdoors, too. “I’m ultimately excited because the people are happy. That’s what I really like, opening people’s eyes to the possibilities. It’s your environment where you spend all your time. It’s so important to your well being and to everything.”
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