Archives for posts with tag: Montreal

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.

Welcome back to the “How To Paint A…” series! After a long hiatus, I am making/documenting/writing short tutorials on how to paint different things.

random marks

This week, I offer an example of “How To” break through Painter’s Block.

I started with a random blobbing of black paint of varying thicknesses, then saw a floral shape. I painted it in loosely in white.

The best way to cure a fear of flying is to fly. The best way to break through Painter’s Block is to paint. If you just start with something, you can turn it into anything.

I didn’t like the strong black line anymore, so I scuzzled over it with white.

I enjoy painting random things, just patterns and flowers and stripes and stuff. There is nothing wrong with this: painting itself is steeped in concept. You don’t have to have a Big Grande Overriding IDEA to start. Don’t be afraid.

I used the white paint to dash in some vertical stripes. I had watered it down and used the brush lightly to obtain both transparency and texture.

If you do like to make Big Idea Art… you can think of these random little paintings as studies, or as imagination-sessions. This is a good exercise for your mind, heart, hands and eyes.

sorting out a bit more of the composition with some “doodles”. Even though I don’t particularly like these “doodles”, I know I can always paint them over afterwards…

As I mention in the photo above, it is important to feel free and empowered as you paint. If you do something you don’t like, just paint it over. The end result will be richer and more interesting anyhow.

Painting in some black over those goofy-doodles…

I like to work back-and-forth as I go. From one tone to the next, from one colour to the next… back and forth…

I finished up when I worked in a bit of white again. I decided to let this dry. I could paint in some more detail, or colour, or not. I think it is done as it is. Maybe I will just sign it now…

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

nothing says “opportunity” like the hope of a blank canvas

Have you always wanted to paint? Whether you have your own supplies or not, here is an opportunity to paint in a welcoming, open, and fresh space.

Your instructor, Natasha Henderson, is an equally fresh and funny artist with loads of experience in teaching painting to all levels of learner.

Natasha with a few of her own works-in-progress

This summer, we have set up a casual and fun schedule so that you can opt to “Drop-In” to paint, with a rotating schedule of different focuses for each class.

Perhaps due to our love of yoga, we are always flexible at Fleurbain.

To encourage you to paint more often, there is a discount on the purchase of six tickets, good for any six of the summertime classes that you choose. Tickets are entirely transferable, so if you want to treat a friend to a class, you can! Perfect for out-of-town guests to make their own souvenir of Montreal.

If you have your own paints, or want an excuse to buy them, there is an option to bring your own supplies. Enquire if this interests you… nhen@videotron.ca

Cost for one class with everything supplied is $35. Cost for six summertime classes, with everything supplied, is $180 (savings of $30). For a special-special-special trial offer, this Tuesday July 3, we are offering the drop-in class for only $25, all inclusive!

Click to see the schedules (and zoom on in) to see what’s happening:

July’s Schedule

August’s Schedule

About the painting experience, Natasha says: “I am here to facilitate, get you painting, and have fun! Learning skills and techniques are important facets to enjoying your craft… however…. Expression and simple joy in making are equally important.”

Fleurbain is located at 460 St Catherine Street West, Unit 917, in downtown Montreal.

Drop-In Painting is Tuesday and Wednesdays 7-9pm, Saturday 1-3pm and Sunday either 11am-1pm or 1-3pm.

Sun July 1: 11-1 glazing and thickness, 1-3 colour

Tues July 3: 7-9 open painting fun (discount day! $25)

Wed July 4: 7-9 abstraction

Sat July 7: 1-3 brushwork skills

Sun July 8: 11-1 chiaroscuro and form, 1-3 glazing and thickness

Sat July 28: 1-3 colour

Sun July 29: 11-1 open painting fun, 1-3 abstraction

Tues July 31: 7-9 brushwork skills

Wed August 1: 7-9 chiaroscuro and form

Sat August 4: 1-3 glazing and thickness

Sun August 5: 11-1 colour, 1-3 open painting fun

Wed August 8: 7-9 abstraction

Sat August 11: 1-3 brushwork skills

Sun August 12: 11-1 chiaroscuro and form, 1-3 glazing and thickness

Tues August 14: 7-9 colour

Wed August 15: 7-9 open painting fun (special deal… BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE!)

Sat August 18: 1-3 abstraction

Sun August 19: 11-1 brushwork skills, 1-3 chiaroscuro and form

Tues August 21: 7-9 glazing and thickness

Wed August 22: 7-9 colour

Sat August 25: 1-3 open painting fun

Sun August 26: 11-1 abstraction, 1-3 brushwork skills

Tues August 28: 7-9 chiaroscuro and form

Wed August 29: (last class!) 7-9 glazing and thickness

Lauren Trimble

We are proud to present an exciting event on Sunday June 3. Three artists who are in the current exhibition “Cross Pollination” will give a short public demonstration of their craft.

Lauren Trimble will show and tell how she makes ceramic tiles.

Heather Boyd will present the process behind her copper wire mixed media sculptures.

Heather Boyd

Natasha Henderson will show how to make wool felt (from “scratch”).

The event is free. We just want to share our love of our craft with you!

Natasha Henderson

All three artists teach their craft, and all actively display their work in various venues. Come out and join us for a lively chat.

Event is Sunday June 3 from 5pm to 7pm.

Fleurbain 460 St Catherine West, Unit #917.

A McGill student takes a study break… and Drops In to Paint!

Drop-In Painting classes are a fun way to explore and learn about painting without a huge commitment.

a student opts to work from a combination of memory and a photograph

Drop-In Painting is a way to express yourself while painting under the guidance of an experienced artist.

classes held in Fleurbain, at 460 St Catherine West. Unit 917. Fabulous view of St James United Church, and always an interesting art exhibit on!

Relax. Create. Enjoy a cup of tea.

painting is good for you

Drop-in painting is now being offered MORE often…

SUNDAY: 11am-1pm

SUNDAY: 1pm-3pm

TUESDAY: 7pm-9pm

WEDNESDAY: 7pm-9pm

SATURDAY: 1pm-3pm

All you need to bring to drop-in painting is your self!

*Classes are limited to eight people max, so if you are anticipating bringing a large group, please book ahead. Custom workshops and travelling art lessons are available. Just talk to me: fleurbain@gmail.com

*Drop-In Painting price, all-inclusive, is $35 per two hours session. (For a private, booked session, it is $70 per two-hour session.)

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

This last weekend was a busy and exciting one. Cross Pollination opened on Saturday, an exhibition featuring Jenny McMaster, myself (Natasha Henderson,) Heather Boyd, Keivan Khademi Shamami, and Lauren Trimble. Earth Day was on Sunday. Sunday also was when Jenny McMaster presented a talk about her work at Fleurbain. Hear what Jenny has to say about her work, corsets, and encaustic.

part two:

And here are some of Jenny’s favorite Corset Quotes:

Come and see Jenny’s work and much more at Fleurbain during Cross Pollination. The show runs until June 3, with gallery hours 3-6pm on Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment. 460 st Catherine West, unit 917.

On April 14, three artists graciously shared their time, knowledge, and ideas with us in Fleurbain. Denise Buisman Pilger, Jennifer Hamilton, and Kimberley Mok were three of six artists who showed their work in Art and Architecture. Thank you to the artists, the viewers, and everyone who made this show such a success.

Denise Buisman Pilger:

Jennifer Hamilton:

Kimberley Mok:

Our current exhibition, Cross Pollination, is a similarly rich and intriguing show. Please give it a look, open Saturdays and Sundays 3-6pm, or by appointment.

On March 31, three artists from the current exhibition Art and Architecture graced our podium and ears with their insights into Architecture and Art, citing artistic inspiration as diverse as book gilding, Bauhaus textiles, dreams, and beyond.

Today (April 14) at 3pm the exhibition’s remaining three artists will inspire us with talks about their works. Please join us if you can! I will share videos from their talks here, too… but in person you can participate in lively discussions following the presentations.

Thank you Marc Chabot, Naomi Frangos, and Keivan Khademi Shamami for taking your time the other week in sharing your thoughts with us.

Today we will hear what Denise Buisman Pilger, Kimberley Mok, and Jennifer Himilton have to say!

Naomi Frangos:

Marc Chabot:

Keivan Khademi Shamami:

-Natasha Henderson

Over the last few weeks I have made a conscious effort to change my diet. I have been nourishing myself with good food, learning which foods I have sensitivities to, and talking through the entire process with a supportive group of people all doing the same thing. I have lost about ten or so pounds, have lost inches from my waist, and feel like a zillion bucks. How much is a zillion? It is a lot.

The supportive benefits of this experience are untold. I am energised and educated. I am empowered. I have not done this alone; I would not have known where to find trustworthy information. My friend (and yours!) Tammy the Clinical Herbal Therapist has spent years in research and educating herself on this, as well as other health-related subjects. How fortunate we are that she can help us!

I am currently at the stage where I can reintroduce foods into my diet. Who would have thought a yellow pepper would suddenly be so zingy? I have a sensitivity to peppers. I will, therefore try to eliminate them from my diet. Easy to figure this out!

Having learned new recipes over the last few weeks, old standbys that I had been accustomed to buying and eating daily are surprisingly simple to replace. I didn’t think that I could live without cheese. This is one of the things that I will soon be re-introducing. I am looking forward to the experiment, and hope that I am not sensitive to cheese. However if I am… I will still be able to feed myself!

I have learned something new: Organic pumpkin seed butter is my friend.

I wholeheartedly recommend the next Nourishment series, starting up this upcoming Monday the 16th of April. Email Tammy at Fleurbain@gmail.com to register, or for more info.

-Natasha Henderson Montreal

The Mona Lisa.

The Mona Lisa. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Remember the good ole days when Bob Ross would guide you, step-by-step, through the process of making a painting? Isn’t it time to revisit such a fun yet methodically satisfying approach to making a beautiful painting?

Painting Create Night is the newest format of *FUN* one-shot, evening workshop where you eat, drink, make merry, and create a stunning painting (no matter what your skill level.)

HOW IT WORKS: You (and a friend or two, highly recommended!) bring yourselves, something tasty you would like to nibble on, perhaps a bottle of wine to enjoy. (We have glasses and a corkscrew!) Over a couple of hours, and your wine and nibbles, Natasha Henderson guides you through the process of making a professionally designed painting. Indeed, you will go home at the end of the night with a finished piece of art.

Theme: FRENCH IMPRESSIONS Date: Friday April 20, 7-9pm
Theme: TUSCANY SUN Date: Saturday May 5, 7-9pm
Theme: BIRDS OF A FEATHER Date: Saturday May 26, 7-9pm
Special Mother’s Day Mom+Me Whimsical Portrait Session on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 13 at 1pm-3pm (perfect after brunch!) Paint you and Mom together. These will be whimsical and light-hearted portraits.

Cost per Painting Create Night is $40 + taxes (works out to $46) per participant. Please note you must be over 18, and anyone who drinks must have a reliable form of transportation home.

Please email fleurbain@gmail.com to register.

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