Parc Lafontaine, Montreal.
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Fleurbain Truffles
3/4 c old fashioned oats (pulverized in a food processor)
3/4 c macadamia and cashew nut-butter (or a nut-butter of your choice)
1/4 c cocoa
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp amaretto
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c chopped dried cherries
1/4 mini chocolate chips
Mix together and form into truffles. Store in the fridge.
Damiana Joy+Love Liqueur
I brought this to a winter party a few years ago. People found this drink both intriguing and fun. Damiana is quite aromatic due to volatile oils. The flavour of damiana can be subdued or enhanced with other foods associated with joy and warmth; cardamom, almond, vanilla, cherry, cinnamon and chocolate. In terms of medicinal properties, one of my favourite summaries is from Rosemary Gladstar. In her Family Herbal she states, “…it is completely restorative; it restores exhausted nerves, exhausted dreams and exhausted spirit.” Though there is a folk history of use as an aphrodisiac, herbalists generally qualify this herb as a mild anti-depressant, particularly useful in what David Winston calls a stagnant depression. The volatile oils act as carminatives that aid in digestion.
1/2 c damiana tincture
1/2 c amaretto
1/4 c chocolate sauce (I made my own from unsweetened chocolate, water, maple syrup, sugar and vanilla)
rosewater and vanilla to taste
Pour together and store in the fridge. Could it be any easier? Enjoy a small shot when desired.
Cheers!
These photos were taken during the LAB Series which runs on Thursdays between 3-6pm. Next week, February 21st, Tammy Schmidt will continue in a similar vein demonstrating herbs used to lighten our spirits in the dark of winter. We hope you are able to join us!
Fleurbain is at 460 St Catherine West, Unit 917, Montreal.
Small Works Too
I am feeling pretty lucky. The exhibition, Small Works Too, is well received. The dozens of works by ten talented and unique artists are going to be celebrated again, with a midissage, this Saturday.
Alright. A midissage is like a vernissage. The difference is that it is in the middle of the exhibition’s dates. Sometimes you will see a finissage. I had thought of having one of those. However, this time I figured that would probably not be a good idea, as the show ends right when half the city’s population is away from the city, or is home recovering from holiday overindulgence.
If you cannot make it to the party this Saturday (December 15th at 7pm) there are other chances to see the show. I would like to mention, however, that Sunday the 16th isn’t one of those chances. I won tickets to a piano concert!!! I play piano, and love live music, and… well… come to the midissage on the 15th! Or please pop by Fleurbain any Tuesday-Thursday in between 3-6pm. You can also see it online here.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Let it be festive, bright, and full of love, music, and art.
Natasha Henderson, Montreal
felt wool scarf
In time for winter, for holiday giving, and for the relaxation of craft… here is an opportunity to learn about feltmaking, while making a beautiful creation of your own that is a unique piece of usable fashion.
In this workshop, students will learn the technique of making felt fabric from loose wool roving. They will make their own beautiful scarf out of merino wool. Merino is insulating, long-lasting, and buttery-soft. The ultimate in fibre! All materials and instruction (and fun) is provided.
Instructor Natasha Henderson is a visual artist, painter, crafter of wool scarves and other wool objects. She loves making things by hand and teaching others how to do so, too. She has years of experience teaching workshops in painting, felt-making, and other crafts. Her work (including felt scarves) is shown and sold in galleries and shops across Canada.
Workshop is one evening: December 12, 7-9pm $50, with everything included! There will be different colours of wool, so you have a choice to be as vibrant or subtle with your colours as you choose.
Located in Fleurbain at 460 St Catherine West, Suite #917, H3B 1A7, Montreal.
Registration by email or in person. Email for more info: Fleurbain@gmail.com
Selective Retrospective until November 30
On now at Fleurbain until November 30 is a selection of works by painter Natasha Henderson.
You might know me (Natasha) from Fleurbain. Perhaps you know me from this blog, where I write about art, life, gardening, crafts, DIY, and more. Maybe you have taken a felt-making workshop with me, or joined in a drop-in-painting session in Fleurbain. What you might not know is that I have been a professionally exhibiting painter since 1998.
Changes. Oil on wood
I moved to Montreal from British Columbia in 2007. Since then, I have had a few studio spaces, from home-based ones, to massive industrial ones, to small corners in shared spaces. All the time, I have been painting. Now, I am opting to exhibit a few of my absolute favourite pieces that are still in my collection. Granted there are others that I would have loved to include, but you can pick out your faves from my website, if you would like.
Here is a spin around the exhibition. If you can make it in person, we are open Tuesdays to Thursdays, 3-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm. Hope to see you!
Fleurbain is located at 460 St Catherine West, unit 917 in downtown Montreal. Very close to Place des Arts and McGill metros. Open Tuesday-Thursday 3-6, and Saturday-Sunday 12-6.
art, herbalism, activism, and fun… Verdant Life In The City!
It is with great delight that we are about to celebrate one year since opening our doors in this verdant city, Montreal. At 6pm onward on Saturday November 3, we will do so in style. We have so much to celebrate! Fleurbain is where seeds have been thrown, ideas have germinated, friendships and connections have grown. After having extended our branches in the worlds of herbalism, art, health and empowerment, we have seen dreams and hopes begin to come to fruition.
a McGill student relaxes over some tisane and painting
Having begun as a blog (you are reading it!) between herbalist Tammy Schmidt and artist Natasha Henderson, Fleurbain has grown into a workspace for these two creative urbanites, but is much more than that. Both women have led workshops in their respective fields. Natasha began her successful “Drop In Painting” sessions, in which anyone was encouraged to pick up a paintbrush and create. Tammy has led dietary workshops and support groups, in The Nourishment Series. She has also hosted many in-house spa treatments, using only organic, healthy ingredients to nourish the skin and spirit. Early in the existence of Fleurbain, Tammy was interviewed for the documentary Fairly Foul, in which she spoke about alternatives to toxic beauty care products. Shared beliefs between BCAM and Femme Toxic and Fleurbain has made for extended support and networking for change in areas we strongly believe in.
Tammy during shooting for the documentary, Fairly Foul
Numerous community events have been organised and presented over the last year. Vernissages for new exhibitions have been a highlight. Poetry readings, artists’ talks, and yoga classes have rounded out some of the cultural and good things going on at Fleurbain.
activity at Fleurbain
As we look back, we want to thank each artist in their participation. Carole Arbic, Elissa Baltzer, Heather Boyd, Denise Buisman Pilger, Marc Chabot, Naomi Frangos, Anna Grigorian, Jennifer Hamilton, Meredith Hayes, Natasha Henderson, Françoise Issaly, Thaneah Krohn, Jeffrey Mackie, Jenny McMaster, David Merk, Lorraine Miller Emmrys, Kimberley Mok, Michel Pednault, Sarina Rahman, Keivan Khademi Shamami, Spiranza Spir, Darlene St Georges, Lauren Trimble, Patrycja Walton, Julie Webb, and Alice Zilberberg… Thank you!
Tammy leading a large workshop for Femme Toxic on organic, herbal skincare
While Tammy has activated the lives of many with her workshops, support groups, and classes, she has also maintained her private practice as a consulting herbalist. Her in-house dispensary is a wonderful place to get your favourite herbal remedies after your consultation with Tammy.
Natasha curates the art gallery, with a number of themed group exhibitions throughout the year, as well as her own New Work solo show each spring. Art creates a vibrant and creative, always changing scene for all that happens in Fleurbain.
Natasha paints, creates felt objects, and curates the gallery.
This Saturday, November 3, please join us in celebrating all this, and more. From 6pm onwards, we will enjoy pies, wine, special herbal teas by Tammy Schmidt, and fabulous company. Natasha is proud to present a selective retrospective exhibition of her paintings from over the last few years, as well as some brand new works. New herbal products made by Tammy are available in our shop, including tisanes and lipbalms to go. Natasha’s handmade felt products, fun Goober cell-phone cases and stylish scarves, await new homes. Our new product lines and ideas are blooming, we are planning new classes for this winter and 2013, and more is cooking at Fleurbain. Come celebrate with us!
Fleurbain is located at 460 St Catherine West, Unit 917. If you should arrive late, and the front door is locked, buzz for the security guard to let you in. See you Saturday!
your seat awaits you in the class
We are happy to announce the next fall felt-making workshop: Make your own felt wool scarf!
during a previous workshop
Felt is an amazing material. Real felt is made from wool or other animal fibres. It is compressed, agitated, boiled, and manipulated until it becomes a single piece of fabric. Felt was developed in every culture where herding animals were kept, and used not only for clothing but for housing and industrial purposes too.
In this workshop, students will learn about the technique of making felt fabric from loose wool roving. They will make their own beautiful scarf out of wool. All materials and instruction (and fun) will be provided!
mixed-media scarf by instructor Natasha Henderson
Instructor Natasha Henderson is a visual artist, painter, crafter of wool scarves, puppets, and cat-toys. She loves making things by hand and teaching others how to do so, too. She has years of experience teaching workshops in painting, felt-making, and other crafts. Her work (including felt scarves) is sold in galleries and shops across Canada.
Workshop is on Sunday October 14, 1-3:30pm $45, all inclusive. Fleurbain is at 460 St Catherine West, Suite #917, H3B 1A7, Montreal.
Registration by email or in person. Email for more info: Fleurbain@gmail.com
This summer I have been all about the mini-vacation. My vacations have included extremely short visits to Maine, New York, Vermont, Ottawa and of course, rural Quebec. The advantages to the mini-vaca include both minimal cost and time commitment. If you have a general idea on where you are going and you have a somewhat natural sense of direction/ability to read a map to get where you are going, the mini-vaca can be extremely energizing.
Do you have photos from your 2012 mini-vacation? Please send them our way, we would love to see them. Our email address is: fleurbain@gmail.com
Here are some trés amateur photos from my shortest and cheapest vacation yet; the three hour tour.
I arrived at my destination by bicycle. :)
the Biosphere, up close.
Some ducks. It is not always easy to show you my love of ducks through photography.
Out of Focus Ducks. Is it just me or is this a bad name for a band/bad photo for an album cover? Haha. I have included this photo because there is something appealing in the form of the grass and soil retention mesh (or whatever you might call that…)
Surprise woodpecker sighting.
The tree stretches as the bird bops about.
Join me at Fleurbain for the LAB Series.
On August 30th and 31st we are all about Lemon balm, otherwise known as Melissa officinalis.
What you might like to know about this herb ahead of time:
Lemon balm:
* is a great tasting herb, so lemony, but it is actually a part of the mint family.
* improves mood, and helps with the less glamorous moments of irritability and forgetfulness.
* can work to relieve stress headaches, heartache, aids digestion, helps you sleep and diminishes seasonal depression.
* is a famous antiviral that is effective against cold sores and shingles.
* can be used by folks of all ages.
* and to top it off, it is a beautiful perennial in Quebec!
At Fleurbain I will share with you the winning, synergistic combinations of lemon balm with other herbs. We will discuss who should not be taking it in large quantities. And we will experiment with a plethora of recipes used for refreshment and cosmetic purposes.
There are three opportunities to come to the Lemon balm LAB. Preregistration is appreciated.
Please send me an email at: fleurbain@gmail.com.
Thursday, August 30th 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. or 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Or
Friday, August 31st 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $20.00 This includes notes, recipes and delicious samples.
The other week, I went through the steps I took in making a painting with no source material. Using random marks and composition, I allowed my intuition and previous painting experience to guide whatever happened next. In a similar manner I have made another example to share with you here.
random brushmarks in black
I started with paper, two tubes of acrylic paint, and I think just one smallish brush. I hit the paper with some random marks in black.
I added some greys
I decided to go grisaille at this point. Grisaille is the method of painting in black and white… and greys. You can then glaze colours on top if you so choose. I will show this process next week.
subtlety added by painting in white
I lightened everything up again by brushing in a bit of white. This added some subtlety to the greys.
time for dark paint again
Then I took my black paint and worked in some darks again. I started to see something…
becoming flowers
Using some more watery-black, I painted in some stems, some shadows in petals. The painting was becoming flowers.
bit more detail and a background
I worked in another floral shape on the right, and then watered my paint down much more. I painted in a background. This added weight to the bottom of the composition, and complexity, as well as the suggestion of other things happening.
however, as part of the process…
However, as part of the process, I opted to white-out a lot of that background. More subtlety needed!
my next step was to re-introduce some greys
Once again, I mixed up a grey and added it in, bits and pieces.
again background!
Again, I worked in dark paint to suggest weight and some sort of background. By painting in the negative-space I also emphasized the objects. Note the fine edges of white here and there: those are not painted in, rather, those were left behind when I painted in the background.
finished! For now…
Finally, I painted in some more white/light grey. Again, note the dark edge I left here and there, that was the previous step’s background being left to show through.
I plan to glaze some colour into this composition, as I feel there is still something rough about it. Colour can help cure problems within a painting. So next week… see you then!
Natasha Henderson, Montreal
Related articles
- How To Paint A… random composition (part one) (fleurbain.com)
