Feature in “What Women Create” Magazine

It was thrilling to be contacted by Jo Packham, the creator and editor of the exquisite magazine “What Women Create” last spring. It was such an honor to be invited and be part of the fall issue of this most beautiful magazine, that features such a diversity of art, created by talented women artists from all over the world!

Heartfelt thanks to Theresa Bear for the splendid photography and Azelle Chang for modeling all the botanical couture so graciously. And last, but not least, thank you Leah at Indigo Gardens for letting me harvest at your wonderful flower farm for this fun project!

The magazine will be available at US newsstands on September 7th and online through wherewomencreate.

Anyone who wishes to order a copy of the magazine or a subscription(vs purchasing it on a newsstand) can do so at https://womencreate.com

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Clematis

A favorite vine! Clematis garden hybrids have been very popular with gardeners;  more hybrid cultivars are being produced constantly. The Rogerson Clematis Garden, just south of Portland, OR, displays 2000 individual clematis, representing over 900 distinct species. Many varieties have the most exquisite seedpods!

Clematis plants are among the most popular and attractive flowering vines. These plants include woody, deciduous vines as well as herbaceous and evergreen varieties. They also vary greatly among species, with different flowering forms, colors, and blooming seasons, though most bloom sometime between early spring and fall. Growing clematis successfully depends on the type chosen, however, most plants share the same basic growing requirements.

These vines prefer sunny locations (at least six hours needed for blooming), but it is very important that the soil is kept cool. This can be accomplished by adding a 2″ layer of mulch to keep the roots moist and cool. Another way to go about it is to plant low growing perennials or a ground cover at the base of the clematis. These gorgeous vines need to be supported either by growing them along a trellis or fence or on an arbor; the smaller varieties can be supported by poles.

Early spring blooming varieties should be pruned back as soon as possible following their blooming but before July, as they bud on previous season’s growth. Large flowering types that bloom in mid-spring should be cut back to the topmost buds in late winter/early spring. Late-blooming varieties should be pruned back above a pair of healthy buds, removing the spindly and damaged growth above. Avoid heavy pruning. .

Clematis are a wonderful vine to design with as they create beautiful movement in woodland design and in bridal work. They also are perfect for botanical couture.

Thank you Theresa Bear and Ted Mishima for the beautiful images!

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Forest Couture

Photographer Neeraj Narayan  scouted the perfect area in Forest Park, here in Portland, for this photo shoot. Using mostly botanical materials from my garden – foliage of hellebore, some evergreens and seedpods of lunaria – I designed a mask, a stole and a cape for our wonderful model, Ama Hathaway.

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Botanical Capes

For several years I have used hot glue to create ‘flexible fabric’. Designing these capes was by far the most involved project that I had done.

Sisters Delphine and Azelle Chang were the perfect models to wear them for this photo shoot.

Thank you Theresa Bear for the magnificent pictures!

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Digitalis

Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennial plants, shrubs, and biennials, commonly called foxgloves. Digitalis is native to Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa.

Digitalis is the first flower to re-emerge after undergrowth has been cleared. Foxglove is ideally suited for gardens with a moist, slightly acidic soil. They blend well with ferns, columbine and bleeding heart.

Plant in September for flowering the following spring. If prevented from forming seed, they will survive for many years. Otherwise they are exhausted after 2 years.

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Botanical Couture in Schreiners Iris Garden

In the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Schreiner’s Gardens cultivate over 150 acres of beautiful iris. For four generations they have been family owned and operated; hybridizing, growing and distributing thousands of iris annually and today Oregon is the largest grower of iris in the United States.

We had the pleasure of curating a photo shoo in these stunning gardens. I designed a large botanical headpiece, a two-layered collar and a fun pair of sunglasses with a great selection of locally grown flowers and textures.

 

Photos: Theresa Bear

Styling: Gwen Seversen

Model: Jasmine Renae

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Dictamnus

Dictamnus is an absolute favorite spring perennial! Dictamnus albus purpera reach a height of about 4 feet tall with quite woody stems at the base. In the late spring dictamnus blooms with long, spikes of pinkish flowers with purple veins set off by glossy green leaves. Once the flowers have faded, spectacular seedpods remain. They are native dromsouthwesterns Europe through to Asia.  The dictamnus is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-8. They thrive in full sun in well-drained soil with a high organic matter. That said, they are fairly tolerant of poor soils and even partial sun. Once dictamnus has been established, it should not be moved or any attempt made to divide it. At maturation after several years, the growing dictamnus will appear as a clump with stunning stands of flowers poking from amongst its foliage.This plant exudes a volatile gas that in hot weather can be ignited without harm to the plant. hence the common name burning bush or gas plant.

Photos of designs by Theresa Bear

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Violas

I love violas and pansies for many reasons: their little faces are so cheerful, they come in so many varieties, bloom from the February til the frost in the NW (as long as they are pinched back, so they won’t go to seed), they do well as a cut flower and if treated in a hydration chamber, they will perform well out of water also.

Violas and pansies are a great choice for containers or in flower beds; a sunny or partial shade exposure is preferred and they like humus rich soil.

Thank you Theresa, Gwen and Ted for the beautiful images!

And as always Azelle, you rocked modeling these designs!

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Woodland Dress and Headpiece

When a friend sent a box full of paper thin bark, I knew that the time finally had come that I had enough bark shavings to design a woodland dress. As simply as the dress was decorated, I decided to go all out to design the large mask/headpiece with gorgeous hellebores, mahonia berries, mushrooms, lichen covered branches, beautiful bark, pine cones and other textures.

Thank you Theresa for the fabulous pictures and Gwen for styling the shoot so well

Lalena, you were the perfect model!

The shoot took place at the beautiful venue Mt View Orchards

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Strength in Beauty – Floral Portrait Series (1)

Earlier this month I collaborated with a group of very talented people.  Here are a couple of designs that made for this project.

Thank you Theresa Bear for these wonderful pictures and Arthur Franklyn for modeling!

Creative directors: Chas Thompson Thomas, Brehan Todd, Theresa Bear

Stylists: Brehan Todd. Vision of Styles

Make up artist: Shantel Dix-Palmer

Floral Designers: Chas Thompson Thomas, Jen Rich, Françoise Weeks

Models: Even Peso, Kojo David, Arthur Franklyn

Studio: Coolhand Studio

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