There's a house that stands out among others in East Austin on MLK Boulevard, but not because of its shape or size. It's what's in the lawn that catches people's eye.

Owner and artist Ira Poole explained his masterpiece.

"This is old Mexico and old Mexico is known for oil," Poole said pointing to a concrete shape of the country arising from the grass.

Call it lawn decor if you must, but for Poole, this is art

"Forty eight continental states," he continued, showing a map of the United States, again made out of concrete.

A small flower bed with tropical flowers to the left represents Hawaii. There's also a large rock for Alaska.

"I didn't make the statue," he said referring to his statue of liberty, which tops off the design. He bought it, but he made pretty much everything else in his yard.

"I just get a pleasure of seeing things grow," Poole said. "It's my hobby."

He's had visitors from all over the world stop by to see his yard. Signatures in his guest book are proof.

"People would drive up to that light and turn around and come back," he said pointing down the street.

Poole's story has even been included in a book, which inspired a Texas Folklife Yard Show at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The temporary exhibit runs through Dec. 5.

"It's quite interesting and quite fun to see what people have come up with," Horticulture Director Andrea DeLong-Amaya said. (Article continues below video.)

It's an exhibit where artists take materials and place them out of their norm.

"Like using dinner plates in your garden or cow skulls that have been painted," Amaya said.

At Poole's house you won't find any of those items, but he understands and appreciates the expression.

Poole said he encourages those who could be so bold as to turn a lawn into a canvas.