Artwalk 2010

We were once again thrilled to have Sharon Bower join us in the shop this evening with her gorgeous and vibrant watercolours. It is completely fascinating to listen to Sharon describe the various techniques she uses to create her work. Her barn series particularly interested me... she brushes or rolls colours on to the page and allows the paints to run and move of their own will. After determining which orientation of the page she's going to use she then uses the coloured spaces as a backdrop for the barn that she paints on the top. That is only one of the many techniques she uses and it was really wonderful to see a small glimpse into the talent that is required to become proficient in this medium. Her colour palette emphasizes hues of greens, oranges, and reds and fits into our space beautifully.



We took the opportunity to display some bridal work we had had photographed by Bob House earlier that day and were pleased to give away all 4 bouquets to randomly drawn visitors we had throughout the evening.



Mike Malachowski and Sherri McKinney dropped in and were familiar with Sharon's work through a painting of hers in the family cottage and Mike was gracious enough to share with me this photograph he took that evening (we didn't plan on being arranged according to height!)

from left: Sherri Mckinney, Sharon Bower, Rebecca Burlington

Sarah

Sarah came to me after a hair consultation from Studio 237 (thank you Darek). She presented me with the concept of her woodland fairy style wedding taking place at the Batawa Ski Hill Lodge. We designed her bouquet based on an image she had found in creams, whites,and browns woven with fabulous tendrily vines. Her attendents would be carrying lanterns so we could focus soley on recreating this soft and romantic bouquet.

The end result was breathtaking and I think due to its unusual elements was my favourite bouquet this season. We had to test several products to find an appropriate vine that would create the same look as the photo, but that would also hold up in the warm summer sunshine. We settled on bittersweet and it certainly captured the look and feel we were going for. Creamy lisianthus- with it's own tendrily buds, white bouvardia, phlox and soft velvety dusty miller played off the textural elements of the echinops, clematis whorls and blushing bride leucadendrons.

Please see the stunning photography below of her georgous wedding from Maryanne by Farrow Photography-contact information: manne.farrow@gmail.com

Thanks Kristen!

Today we said goodbye to our special Co-Op Student Kristen Loveless...
we thoroughly enjoyed having her here with us and hope she has a fabulous
summer and will join us again in September...



Jameson obviously adored her...

The Torch Run

With great anticipation we waited outside to cheer on the torch runner for our section of Front St. It was a chilly day but we bundled up and joined in!
Jameson and Debbi waved their flag...

Make Your Own and Take it Home 2

During this class each student received enough ontrio pine and cedar, bc cedar, magnolia,fir, oregonia, ilex berries, curly willow and large pine cones to create an insert for their outdoor urn and a small door charm or swag.


Our second design class was a lovely evening with lots of laughs and some great finished projects by our students.
Each urn was composed of the same ingredients but took on the individuality of the designer and their own style of urn.

Florida weather affects floral greens

The above photos were sent to us from one of our wholesale suppliers John G.Hofland.

Florida frigid weather affects more than our food supply, it is possible that we may not be able to obtain some our standard and exotic foliages such as aspidistra leaves , leather leaf and foxtail fern.

Grand Re-Opening and 25th Anniversary Studio 237

This shot was taken from the loft space above and it almost appears as though the arrangement is floating....



Beautiful extra- large philodendron leaves provide a rich green contrast to the amazing white on white magnificance of the studio...







Darek asked that we incorporate some more natural elements in order to reflect the environmental position of Matrix/Biolage. The curly willow, pears and the cotton stems add some earthy tones and textures, but are still unique enough to work with Darek's overall vision.


















Cymbidum orchids in green and white, safari leucadendron, green amanaranthus, white peony, green dendrobium orchids, sago palm, ornamental kale, magnolia, green trachylium, green fuji mums, potted phalaenopsis orchids, and variegated aspidistra compose the displays in the colour palette that is the first Matrix Biolage Salon in Canada!



It was an extroardinary privelege to be involved in this work for Darek, I was thrilled to gain a small glimpse into his overwhelming talent and his many tremendous accomplishments. The Belleville studio illustrates only a tiny fraction of what he is capable of and I think all will agree it is most definitely stunning!