Episode 111- The Art of Flowers

International Viewers- Watch the Show HERE!

Host J Schwanke visits with P. Allen Smith at Smith's Moss Mountain farm in Arkansas, and explores the ways flowers inspire and influence art, both in and out of the garden.*Bonus Content- in the BLUE LINKS!Obviously there is a deep connection with Flowers and Art. Artists for centuries have been creating art based on the Subject of flowers- and this week on J Schwanke's Life in Bloom- we follow the connection between Flowers and Art. Flowers inspire art- whether it's an artistic arrangement of flowers in a vase, landscape design, crafts or events- Art and Flowers go hand in hand!When I furthered my studies in Flower Arranging and Design- I took a class from a world renowned Flower Artist- Phil Rulloda- and he really honed my skill regarding the elements and principles of flower design. Phil is the KING of artistic flower arranging- and he has inspired so many flower arrangers to incorporate Art into their flower arrangements.The arrangement I create with found objects- Driftwood, Stones, Succulents and more- is partially inspired from his extensive inspiration. I've found that my flower arranging 'style' is definitely a combination of so many different flower artists- that have inspired me over the years- I've been very fortunate living my entire life in the flower industry- and the opportunity I had as a child to experience so many different flower designers... the list is long- but these people especially influenced the way I arrange and design flowers today: Haskell Eargle, Joe Smith, Phil Rulloda- and his Wife Cathy, Matt Wood, Gretchen Sell, Bobbie Ecker, Bill Harper, Richard Seaboldt, Rene' Van Rems, Talmage McLaurin, Eddie VonBargen, and family- from my Father Mel Schwanke and Grandfather Carnation Joe Green-  even Martha Stewart and my friend P Allen Smith- whom we visit in this show.I've never been one to claim originality in flower arranging style- but rather graciously honored their inspiration - and shared their creative influence in my own personal style... I'm so thankful- that I had the opportunity to be influenced by so many great flower artists! The arrangement in this show- is a visit with creative naturalism- and is inspired by line, form and color- it's done for enjoyment- and the experience of creating it was just as fun as looking at it...In this show I visit with my friend P Allen Smith- at Moss Mountain Farm in Arkansas. Allen has always been a wonderful inspiration- and being able to visit his farm, help in decorating the house for the Holidays- sharing time with his guests- and being able to appear on his Public Television show- have been incredible experiences and helped create life-long memories.Allen and his crew- Patrick Green- and Brent Walker- created this segment for our show- and it's a very special segment- that shares Allen's passion for the Art Inspired Garden, Landscaping and takes you inside his world... with a personal tour of his magnificent Farm. Be sure to check out his shows on Public Television- and subscribe to his Youtube Channel- and remember- YOU Can personally visit Moss Mountain Farms- throughout the seasons- or even hold special events at the Farm... there's information on visits on his website https://pallensmith.com/Here's a couple links to my appearances on Allen's shows- I so enjoy our friendship and spending time at Moss Mountain Farm- it's an inspiration-Flower Crowns with P Allen Smith- Watch NowLeafy Arrangement- with J Schwanke at Moss Mountain Farm- Watch NOWTable-scaping with P Allen Smith- Watch NowRockin' the Red Poinsettia- Watch NowMini Christmas Trees with P Allen Smith- Watch NOWThe Flower Inspired Craft for this week- is water color painting - with Iris as an inspiration. I've always enjoyed water colors- and more over- drawing has been an active process in creating my flower arrangements. When I started arranging professionally- I found it easier to make a quick sketch of the arrangement before I started- and today- it's transferred over to a mental sketch- that I make in mind- (when I don't have the opportunity to actually draw it out)... I find that the arrangement turns out better- when I take the to make the sketch- whether it's actual or virtual. In my book- Fun with Flowers- I added a few of the sketches in the book- to show - graphically how that process works.  You can purchase a copy of my book at this link- www.uBloom.com/Books!I frequently create a quick sketch or enhance it with water colors- on a postcard for a special thank you card or birthday greeting- it's a great way to incorporate my own personal touch- with flowers- for my friends. This week I take a crack at water color with Iris- I have to honestly admit- there's something serendipity with water colors- and trying to set down and do it with a whole crew looking over your shoulder- makes for more pressure- and I find that my rough pre-paintings were better than the one I created on camera... should have stuck to drawing... hehehe!I'm delighted that we included a couple of different flower arranging projects in this show about the Art of Flowers- the first is more Contemporary and the second is more about creating a Color Focused arrangement- with a more natural and less arranged...look. This is a good example of what I typically create for myself- I love a pretty flower arrangement that looks as if I lifted a section of the garden - and placed it into the container... it's how I work with my personal garden and placing the plants- plus- I'm always focused on being able to cut everything I plant - and sticking with my 'Arrange-plant' concept-  To learn more about Arrange-Plant you can download this FREE Brochure - www.uBloom.com/GardentoHome You can check out this entire episode- of Fun with Flowers and J- where this arrangement concept came from- on my Youtube Channel-Or Subscribe to uBloom- where we create NEW Flower How-To Flower Videos- there's over 1800 to choose from- and you can watch to your hearts content- Be sure to use our EXCLUSIVE Discount code- "FIFTYOFF" for our Life in Bloom Viewers- that give you 50% off an annual subscription at www.uBloom.com/Join/AnnualI was the featured presenter- at the Art in Bloom Event at the Grand Rapids Museum of Art- and it gave me an opportunity to talk with many local florist friends- that participated in this wonderful Art and Flowers crossover. The concept- is simple- the Museum selects a piece of art- and the local flower artist interprets the piece of art in flowers- it's also judged by local celebrities- and there's also a people's choice award- and a celebrity flower artist provides a program for their donors and museum patrons... there's also a hands on class... where attendees get to enlist their creativity and create an art inspired flower arrangement. I featured my complete adventure- on my uBloom website- in this video- you can watch the entire episode here- J at Art in Bloom! Ruben Antonio, Gary Wells, Robert Friese, Julie Johnson, James Lutke are my friends that are featured in this video. Each and every one is a talented artist- and they bring their own spirit and creativity to this event. I hosted James Lutke- on Fun with Flowers and J- and he and I created bird sculptures- that we filled with flowers- it's a Wonderful Project- and included in all subscriptions to my website- www.uBloom.com - remember that "Life in Bloom" Viewers get an special discount on subscriptions with the discount code FIFTYOFF - use it here - at www.uBloom.com/Join/AnnualIris is the Featured Flower for the week- and here's a fun project featuring Iris- that on my Youtube Channel- the project is included in my book- Fun with Flowers- with a complete recipe- (you can purchase your copy of fun with flowers here- www.uBloom.com/Books ) and follow this link to my Youtube/JSchwanke Channel- and subscribe- you can watch the Iris Garden Video here...I hope you enjoy this episode that inspired by Art- and created with Flowers- It's a wonderful way to relax- and unleash your creative spirit- when it comes to creating with flowers! Check out my other episodes of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" here!