Hello from Painted Fern Landscape Architecture

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There is an innate need for human connection with the natural cycles of life. A garden provides an opportunity to establish a meaningful and symbiotic relationship with our environment. A personal outdoor space is known to lessen anxiety, reduce pain, relieve stress, cultivate hope and rejuvenate energy. There is a healing quality that awakens with the observation of natural experiences and the harmony that exists within them. Painted Fern is devoted to developing sustainable and integrated site designs through analyzing site systems and harmonizing natural processes with the desires and needs of our clients. By understanding the opportunities and restraints inherent within a place, we can enhance the outdoor experience while lessening the impact on the environment. We aim to create landscapes that not only reflect the sacred visions of their owners, but also soothe the soul, tune the senses, and restore balance. By establishing a reflective atmosphere, we hope to promote physical, mental and spiritual wellness. We take pride in providing this site and soul conditioning service to promote happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. We look forward to sharing with you in this discovery of awareness.

Jessica Nelson is a licensed Landscape Architect who has been involved in the professional practice of Landscape Architecture since 2004 and has been studying the profession since 1999. She obtained her BLA from Virginia Tech in 2004 and has since lived and worked in northern California. Jess has experience in a wide range of design issues but specializes in residential design with a focus on human behavior and social science. She has participated in the historic documentation of a landscape for the Virginia Chapter of ASLA and HABS/HAER and she has also assisted in the preparation of an open space study of San Francisco. Through her diversity of travels, Jess has had the opportunity to work on projects throughout the US and has conducted observational studies in various locations in Europe. Jess is mainly concerned with the experiential quality of landscapes and the effects they have on the senses. Jess is also trained in the art of Feng Shui.
Jess founded Painted Fern in 2007 to explore her idea of a more experiential approach to Landscape Architecture. While design and construction drawings are a vital portion of any Landscape Development project, Jess’ love of plants and gardening drew her to expand her services to include Garden preservation and planting installation. Jess feels there is much to be learned through on-site experiences and she enjoys this interactive approach to garden design.
Before creating Painted Fern in 2007 Jess worked for Mill Canyon Group in Davenport, CA where her responsibilities included design, graphic presentation, project management, and construction documentation for the firm’s residential design projects. She continues to consult for the firm on various projects.
Prior to joining Mill Canyon Group Jess worked for Kikuchi & Associates in Half Moon Bay, CA where she received extensive training in project management and construction detailing.

Jason Thomas was raised, and currently resides, in Virginia Beach,VA and has over 6 years of experience in landscape design and construction. Jason has both work and educational experience here on the Mid Atlantic coast as well as coastal California.
Jason's educational background began at Virginia Tech where he began the Landscape Architecture program in the summer of 2000. During his time at Virginia Tech, Jason spent his summers interning with a local design/build Landscape Architecture firm where he focused on small-scale residential design. He also had the opportunity to participate in the National Student Exchange program which allowed him to spend his fourth of five years of educational training at California Polytechnic State Institute in San Luis Obispo. There he gained a fresh perspective on the profession of landscape architecture. Jason graduated with a Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture in 2004 from Virginia Tech.
Upon graduating, Jason moved to San Diego, California, where he worked for a landscape design build firm. Here he was a project manager for a landscape contractor working on many large-scale, high-end residential subdivision projects with budgets ranging from the tens of thousands into the millions of dollars. Here he learned much about the landscape construction process, from bidding to construction administration and installation.
After a year of working in California, Jason returned to his hometown in Virginia and now works with Basnight Land and Lawn where he plays a vital role in their landscape architecture department. His daily tasks range from extensive design projects in the public and private sector as well as a continued exposure to construction documentation and administration. It was through all his experiences that Jason has developed a sincere desire to better the quality of life through the design and implementation of meaningful landscapes.