wistful kitteh

At Fleurbain, we are excited to offer a two-evening workshop, in which participants will create a formed puppet out of wet felt.

The workshop takes place over two Tuesday eves in April. The puppet will be a simple “mitten” style, formed seamlessly over a form.

The first night students will learn the feltmaking basics, and create this formed puppet. The next week students will make round felt eyes, needle-felt decorations, and decorate/finish details on the puppet to take home. Choices can be made about “what” or “who” this puppet is… it can be a portrait, a fantasy creature, an alien… a favourite pet.

This class is excellent for those who have made a flat felt object (such as a scarf) before, but is also appropriate for those who have not yet made felt. Rest assured, you will be guided through all the stages to ensure your puppet will pup!

The workshop is taught by Natasha Henderson, a painter, fibre artist, arts educator, and Fleurbain’s gallery curator. Her work is exhibited across Canada, and she also offers custom workshops.

This Saturday March 2, join us for Herbes Dix/Ten Plants during Montreal’s Nuit Blanche. We are excited to have been selected to be a part of the official programming of Nuit Blanche. The exhibition features mixed media paintings on wood by Natasha Henderson. The paintings depict ten plants that help you survive and thrive through the winter, as selected by Herbalist Tammy Schmidt.

We will open early, at 6pm, to accomodate more people throughout the evening. We recommend coming early (before 8pm) in order to enter our free draw for a painting from the show. We will also offer special discount coupons to everyone who drops by, as well as entice you to play a fun and competitive game “Match The Latin!” So come by before 8pm if you can. See you!

Fleurbain is located at 460 St Catherine West, unit 917.

Parc Lafontaine, Montreal.

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.

large and small painting by Natasha Henderson

Works will be available to view through the end of February, when an exciting new interactive project will be unveiled for Nuit Blanche in Montreal!

Natasha will host gallery hours Tuesday-Thursday 3pm-6pm, as well as other days by appointment.

making merino scarves

Besides visiting to see the artworks in Fleurbain and chatting with our resident artist-curator, you can opt to participate in workshops in painting and feltmaking. On Wednesday January 30 join us from 7-9pm to make your own merino felt wool scarf. You will learn the process of wet-felt making, and create your own colourful and soft, beautiful scarf to take home at the end of the night. Register by email: Fleurbain@gmail.com Cost is only $50, everything included.

student relaxing over some tisane and painting

Another upcoming workshop (or, rather, a series of them) is Second Sunday. Drop in to paint the Second Sunday of each month. Our first session is February 10, from 1pm-3pm. $40 for everything, all materials, encouragement, and a nice cuppa tea. Brush up on your existing skills, problem-solve, relax, and get creative. All levels of experience are welcome. Email Fleurbain@gmail.com for more details or to reserve a spot (drop-ins are always welcome, but class size is limited to eight students.) Note in May, the class is bumped to the third Sunday, to accommodate Mother’s Day.

Hope to see you soon in Fleurbain.

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

Fleurbain is located at 460 St Catherine West, Unit 917. We have a stunning view of St James United Church, and the city of 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

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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.

Small Works Too

Join Ten of Montreal’s finest artists in an evening to celebrate those good things that come in small packages.

On Saturday December 1, starting at 6pm, enjoy some festive food and drinks while you chat with sparkling people and exhibiting artists.

 

Small Works from last year

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• One Year Open (fleurbain.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!