Discover Whimsical Rock Formations, Characters On Reston's Blue Trail

Press Release: Public Art Reston

RESTON, VA — boasts a trove of hidden wonders, and nestled along Orchard Lane, just off Lake Anne, lies a true gem. If you wander the Blue Trail around Lake Anne, you’ll likely stumble on a captivating array of whimsical rock formations and characters. They are the enchanting handiwork of Reston native Ket Vongsavat. An encounter with Ket offered a glimpse into his boundless passion and hobby.

As a resident of Orchard Lane, he has transformed not only his own front yard but also those of his neighbors into a mesmerizing wonderland. However, this transformation was not an overnight feat. “I started the garden 14 years ago,” he recalled. “There were a lot of shrubs and ivy throughout the front yard, so I decided to take the ivy out. Then I put down gravel, and then it didn't look as great. So, I changed it again … changed the design and put down three stones. Next thing I know, it just spread. Then, I realized that we were having a lot of issues with the drainage system… (so) I would throw rocks down and line them up. Ever since I've been doing it.”

Ket meticulously selects smooth, palm-sized rocks from a local landscaping company. “What I do is look for certain stones. I like to use rocks that are round and smooth. And then, of course, as far as the color wise, I try to add as many colors that I can.” He then lines them up on their edges, creating marvelous patterns of movement, like grand swirls, waves, as well as formations cascading down hills and out of pottery spouts. “I try to make everything flow and then try to mimic nature,” Ket says. “It's right next to the water, so the theme is always a flow.”

Ket met artist Michael Amico in 2016 when Michael was primarily interested in drawing. In 2017, Ket's pitched the idea of collaborating to add painted rocks to his garden. Michael obliged and started with a single koi fish and a caterpillar. “I remember Ket asking me to paint one rock, followed by another, and then another. All of a sudden, there I was just painting rocks, and the project just kept growing as ideas came up; the garden expanded to incorporate insects, marine life, and sun-bathers.”

Michael Amico's talent infused the collection with additional charm, particularly appealing to children. Adorable depictions of animals, insects, beloved TV characters, and even celebrity icons now grace the collection, each adding a touch of whimsy. “We added characters like all the fish swimming. We used to have the ‘pond’ here. Some of the characters that the kids recognize,” Ket elaborates. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bluey and Bingo, and more familiar characters can be found. A standout feature is their endearing depiction of Marilyn Monroe. “What I do is I would go to him and said, ‘Hey, I would like to have a character of, let's just say, Marilyn Monroe.’ So, I would gather all the rocks that look like Marilyn Monroe and then I would ask him, ‘Could you make the hair? Can you make the face? Could you paint the heels?’” Ket adds.

Of all the work Michael has done over the years, he favors a few. “I would say my favorite project to work on has been the two large caterpillars that are featured towards the back of the primary garden. I typically repaint them biannually, and it’s always been a fun piece to do since they always have a contrasting theme. The caterpillars have seen artwork on them depicting the sun/moon, fall/spring, and as of current -- the contrast between an abstract take on primary colors and realism in greyscale.”

Ket's relationship with his neighbors is also integral to his project's success, with some generously offering their yards for his artistic vision. “I would ask the owner if there's nothing growing or if they have an issue with the drainage … (then) I look at their lifestyle, their personalities, and I try to incorporate that into the artwork.”

A couple of houses down from Ket’s home is called “the beach house” with figures laying out in their bathing suits. “She loves to sunbathe … so I create characters as if they're sunbathing. And then Michael painted all the bikinis and the faces as well. And each character… I change them up every now and then to make them a little more interesting,” Ket explains. On the other side is a neighbor who is more outgoing, so their yard has an “active” design including figures in yoga poses.

Ket's consideration of his neighbors' personalities and lifestyles has led to the creation of personalized vignettes that resonate with each individual, turning mere gardens into vibrant reflections of their owners' spirits. “The neighbors, they have a sense of pride. There's no doubt about it … each artwork has some sort of characters (and) has some sort of meaning to them.”

This collection of rock art doesn’t stay the same for long. As the seasons change and the garden evolves, Ket and Michael’s dedication to bringing joy to others remains unwavering. With each new design and character, they continue to inspire wonder and delight, leaving a lasting impact on all who have the privilege of wandering down Orchard Lane.

“I try to change the designs every summer, at least to make it more interesting, as well as add other characters … that way people will get the chance to see something new or something fresh,” Ket explains.

Ket says, “Working with rocks for me is relaxing. This is my hobby rather than a job, and it's therapeutic as well. I do it because folks love seeing new things in the garden, new characters. … It's great that you don't have to water them, so they last forever.”

When asked about his inspiration, he says, “Wherever I go, I see artwork. So, I got inspired by that. I try to create my own designs over here at our neighborhood.”

“A lot of folks bring their friends and family over,” Ket notes. “They have never seen this design before. And that feels great knowing that you put smiles on their faces, especially young kids. So, when the kids see this, they get to admire … and it gives them an opportunity to do this design in their own garden.” Ket’s artistic partner, Michael says, “I never truly thought this installment would become as big as it is now. For me, it was a hobby and a way to keep myself engaged in art. Yet now the project means a lot more as it is so evident how many visitors take joy from passing by the garden. This has pushed me to execute artistic visions and concepts in new ways that make their presentation something exciting for neighbors and visitors.”

In the end, Ket's garden serves as a reminder of the beauty that can be found in unexpected places and a testament to the power of creativity and community, proving that sometimes, the most magical wonders are hidden right in our own backyards.

To watch the interview on video, go to https://youtu.be/qxUO1wgFBd8