Storytelling through Topiary and Property Art

Starting as a local artist in Youngstown, Ohio, Mike has since emerged as a national sensation. Through his whimsical and illusionary style, he has transformed public spaces across the country and established himself as a leading figure in the industry. 

“I fell in love with landscaping as a kid,” said Mike. “My father, a Navy veteran and an artist, taught me the fundamentals of art and sculpture while we worked on our yard together. By age seven, I was already trimming shrubs and perfecting shapes. He instilled in me to always give my best, no matter the obstacle.”

In high school and his early twenties, Mike’s affection for topiary evolved as he became a barber, cutting hair as a side hustle and forming designs on clients’ hair. “I began parting the trees like hair,” Mike said. “I would sketch designs and apply them to shrubs.” This unique perspective allowed Mike to explore beyond the classic geometric shapes of topiary. 

Mike’s artistic growth accelerated when he discovered Pearl Fryar, a legendary topiarist from South Carolina known for his innovative designs. “My father introduced me to Pearl’s work, and it changed everything,” said Mike. “I wanted to emulate what Pearl was doing, so I took a deep dive into the world of topiary to see what else was out there.” 

Mike’s dedication culminated in an ambitious project to create 330 topiaries in his hometown, a nod to Youngstown’s area code. “It took six years, and in May 2020, I completed the 330th topiary,” he said. “That’s when my name rose in rankings…I instantly went from a nobody kid in Youngstown, Ohio, to a renowned topiary artist.”

ABOVE: Mike sits in front of a topiary that is part of a series of four junipers titled “Resilient C.” Each topiary showcases the letter C, visible from any perspective. The trompe l’oeil effect is created as the viewer walks by the shrub. “From any vantage point, it will begin to morph into the letter C,” says Mike. “The C alludes to the Cummer Museum of Art and Garden in Jacksonville, Florida, where the pieces reside. It’s also a play on words: how many “C’s” do you see? And it also evokes the concept of ‘looking out to sea.’” The garden sits along the St. Johns River.