a bit of our view

a bit of our view

It is with a mixture of pride and sadness that we are announcing that after three great years of art, herbalism, community-building, collaborations, vernissages, workshops, special events and fun… we are moving on.

interviewed for Documentary

Tammy interviewed for documentary Fairly Foul

So very much happened in three years!  Special events in Fleurbain included artist presentations, poetry readings, and yoga and dance classes. Workshops in herbalism, crafting, felt-making, painting, cosmetic creation, and health were always well-received. We had a lot (a LOT) of fun putting on these productions and we wouldn’t have done anything differently.

Our dear friend Cindy and her husband Bob came to visit all the way from Michigan.

Our dear friend Cindi and her husband Bob came all the way from Michigan for a visit.

 

Posing with Darlene St. Georges during her beautiful vernissage.

In the beginning.

 

 

 

holiday views

holiday views

 

People were the most important part of our experience.  Thank-you to all who came to the events!!!  Popular vernissages were a chance to not only see some artworks and enjoy some treats, but provided an opportunity for attendees to meet new friends, and to connect with other artistic folks. This was one of the most valuable benefits of maintaining a physical space, so we hope to see all of you again in the near future around town! Do connect with Tammy on Facebook, and Natasha too.

the impermanence of plant pigments on snow contrast well with the bright lights of an electric cityThe impermanence of plant pigments on snow contrast well with the bright lights of an electric city.  From Nuit Blanche the year before we moved into the downtown space.
Abundance by Lorraine Miller Emmrys.

Abundance by Lorraine Miller Emmrys.

 

 

great visits

great visits

food, art, herbalism and fun at Fleurbain

food, art, herbalism and fun at Fleurbain

 

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

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

What are we doing now? Tammy is booking private consultations and making tea and natural products for all your herbalist-needs in her new space in downtown Montreal. Contact her for more details or if you want to be added to her mailing list.  Her email is tammy.schmidt.herbalist (at) gmail (dot) com. Natasha is happily selling her work online, and through ArtBomb. Please email her (NatashaHendersonArt(at) gmail (dot) com) if you would like to be added to her mailing list for upcoming exhibitions.

Thank you everyone for all you have done, for your support, and your friendship. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Natasha Henderson and Tammy Schmidt.

Tammy leading a large workshop for Femme Toxic on organic, herbal skincare

Tammy leading a large workshop for Femme Toxic on organic, herbal skincare

during the exhibition "Art and Architecture" we hosted artist talks

during the exhibition “Art and Architecture” we hosted artist talks

a student paints during a class

a student paints during a class with Natasha

Fleurbain Naturals is launched!

Fleurbain Naturals is launched!

Bye for now.  Hope to see you soon!

Bye for now. Hope to see you soon!

 

 

Small Enigma

Small Enigma – oil on panel by Natasha Henderson

UPDATE: Come by to see the show Sundays through August, 9:30-2pm

Curator and artist Natasha Henderson has this to say about the work in 40 Days et 40 Soirs:

In Trees - Oil on wood - Natasha Henderson

In Trees – Oil on wood – Natasha Henderson

“I paint robins, trees, the sky. Layers and glazes of oil create a sometimes foggy effect; and time is captured within the weeks it takes to create these works. Patterns emerge and help form sense out of the chaos. My creative process is represented within these works. Fluttering time and space together, the robins are really something more than birds… though I really do love birds for just being birds!”

Hope to see you!

Fleurbain is located at 460 St Catherine West, Montreal. Our unit # is 917. We are directly across the street from St James United Church. Showtimes Sundays 9:30-2, or by appointment.

 

fresh made, all organic skin serum

Teacosies made by instructor Natasha Henderson

Teacosies made by instructor Natasha Henderson

Due to many requests, we are offering a second chance to take the workshop just offered in January. February 9 and 16, join us for a second round of this fun workshop!

Keep your tea warm and cute. Make your very own teacosy using the wet-felting process, then decorate with goofy (or elegantly arty) additions.

All materials supplied, except for the teapot. We will be making a plastic resist for the felting process, and it will be based on your teapot’s dimensions. However, a form for a “general” teapot shape could be provided, or do bring your teapot for a custom-fitted one.

Cost for the course: $60. Class is for beginner or intermediate felt makers.

TWO PART COURSE

Day one: Sunday Feb 9th, 2-4pm: we will create the form and possibly some extra decorations for the finished project.

Day two: Sunday Feb 16th, 2-4pm: we will finish off the (now dry!) project, adding little felt additions or stitches or beading… and it’s now ready to take home.

(If you are only available the first day, join us to make the initial form then take home to decorate or finish at your leisure. Cost for single-day is $40.)

See instructor Natasha Henderson’s website for a few examples of her work.

To join in the fun, register by emailing Fleurbain(at)gmail(dot)com

student making felt

Small Works Again, our annual small works show, opened last night to the tune of a very fun Pie Party.

food, art, herbalism and fun at Fleurbain

food, art, herbalism and fun at Fleurbain

Guests and friends and participating artists enjoyed a potluck Pie fest alongside a wine and cheese. For the first time, we have featured a small craft/card table for participating artists to share some of their smaller small works.

small craft and card table, featuring works from $1-$20

small craft and card table, featuring works from $1-$20

Participating artists are: Anna Grigorian, Donna McGee, Elissa Baltzer, Emily Leong, Nadia Mytnik-Frantova, Natasha Henderson, Sarah Robinson, and Thaneah Krohn. All work may be purchased on the spot, or can be reserved with a 50% deposit. Visit us and the show each Saturday and Sunday until mid-January from 11am-3pm, with extended hours too (TBA). See our Facebook page for updates!

a little taste of the show...

a little taste of the show…

Our in-house herbalist, Tammy Schmidt, presented us with a delicious nutritive tea. She had some of her luscious skin serum available, as well as tasty lip balm, Vanilla Maple seasoning, and her infamous teas. Come by to see what other fresh herbal concoctions are a-brewin’.

An online gallery of the small works is available, works can be viewed and purchased here.

Happy Pieday!

Fleurbain is located in the heart of downtown Montreal, across the street from the picturesque St James United Church. 260 St Catherine Street West, Unit 917. Always ready for appointments, at most any time. Just email us at fleurbain(at)gmail(dot)com and we’ll get the tea on for you!

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

finished felt

This autumn, we are offering a chance for you to learn (or re-learn!) about the process of making felt fabric from loose wool roving. In this one-afternoon class (about 2 hours) each student will learn the process of felt-making, and produce their own colourful, soft merino wool scarf.

Afternoon classes are being offered Sunday October 27, Sunday November 10, or Sunday November 17 from 3-5pm each day.

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.

Class 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. Join in the fun in a supportive environment. Class is mostly offered in English, however, Natasha has a rudimentary knowledge of French, and Francophone students have enjoyed her classes.

Workshop is located in Fleurbain at 460 St Catherine West, Suite #917, H3B 1A7, Montreal. Registration by email or in person. Email for more info: Fleurbain(at)gmail(dot)com

Cost (materials included) is $50 per class.

IMG_2138What to do? Fall is falling upon us, and we sit at home and make or eat pies. Or, at least we want to. However, before the leaves and then the snow flies, it would be good to get in a few dashes of culture, networking, and enrichingly fun times.

Two events to mark in your cultural calendar (one of which you could just remember, since it is tomorrow night…)

Saturday September 28, from 6pm-9pm we are hosting a vernissage to celebrate our participation in Culture Days / Journées de la culture. See our exhibition Vue par la fenêtre – Through The Window.

Eight Montreal artists have been asked to ponder what they see from our ninth-storey view of downtown Montreal. The results are beautiful, a little bit haunting, and brightly talented.

Visit with most of the artists, have a glass of wine, and see the (night-time) view for yourself! Artists participating are Elissa Baltzer, Jose Duclos, Anna Grigorian, HasmiG, Natasha Henderson, Donna McGee, Sarah Robinson, and Susan Shulman.

***

Then join us Saturday October 5, from 7:30pm for readings by Montreal-based poets and writers. Kelly Drukker, Jeffrey Mackie, Nick Tan, Nicolas Papaxanthos, Meredith Darling, and Christine Miscione will grace our “stage” for Through The WIndow – Readings.

See the exhibition at the same time, see the night-time view from our window, and meet with new or old friends. Guaranteed good times, unless you really require a chair… Seating is limited, but we promise the floor will be spotless. Feel free to bring a cushion!

Any enquiries, please do not hesitate to email us at: fleurbain@gmail.com

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

Creativity Alights by Sarah Robinson

Creativity Alights by Sarah Robinson

The Window- photograph, Natasha Henderson

The Window- photograph, Natasha Henderson

Upcoming fun this autumn… We are very excited to announce that we will be part of the official programming for Culture Days / Journées de la culture, September 27-29, 2013.

Photography, painting, and mixed media artists are collaborating to reflect upon the unique 9th storey, Fleurbain view of downtown Montreal. The work in this group exhibition reflects the experience of looking out… as we look out, we look in.

List of artists to be announced mid-September… Stay tuned!
Hours for the exhibition during Culture Days:

Friday Sept 27 12-5pm
Saturday Sept 28 10-5pm, and a vernissage/celebration 6-9pm
Sunday Sept 29 12-6pm

While visiting during daytime hours, as a part of Culture Days, we are offering a chance for you to make your own piece of artwork that is inspired by our view.

The following Saturday (October 5) we will be hosting a poetry reading in collaboration with this exhibition. Stay tuned for that, too!

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

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

***JOIN our Facebook Event for the vernissage!***

puppie

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.

fancy kitteh

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.

TIMES: Tuesday April 16 and Tuesday April 23, 7-8:30pm each night.

COST: $60, all inclusive

REGISTER by responding via email to fleurbain@gmail.com

Workshop is held in Fleurbain, located at 460 Ste-Catherine West, H3B 1A7, Montreal. Suite # 917.

student making felt

Herbes Dix - Open At Six

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.

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