Growing up in the Netherlands, right in the heart of the Dutch Bulb Region, my love for flowers blossomed from a young age, it is simply in my DNA. Throughout my teenage years, I worked parttime in the flower industry doing various manual jobs. Thanks to my background in textile design, I have always been fascinated by colour, texture and of course, flowers. For many years I designed floral patterns for furnishing and fashion fabrics. These days, I utilise these same skills in my live painting, where I often capture breathtaking floral installations.
BORN AND RAISED IN HOLLAND
The famous Keukenhof spring garden, located just a stone’s throw from my childhood home, is a true colourful spectacle. It is only open to the public for less than 8 weeks each year and it draws 1.4 million visitors from across the globe. If you are a nature lover, a visit to Keukenhof should absolutely be on your bucket list. Come and admire the stunning display of 7 million bulbs that are planted annually.
BUDDING BEGINNING
Where I grew up in the 80s and 90s it was common for children and young people from the Bulb Region, to work part-time in the flower industry. My first job – at the ripe age of 8 – involved peeling flower bulbs. During early summer, the bulbs would be dug up and we had to clean them by hand, filling crates and earning our pay per crate. Nowadays, the flower bulb industry uses machine-based processes and there are strict regulations prohibiting school children to work the way we did. Those were different times!
As a teenager, my weekends and holidays were spent working for a local bulb grower. Duties involved cutting tulips and preparing them for the Aalsmeer Auction (did you know it is the fourth largest building by footprint in the world!). Bundling big, beautiful lilies was also part of the routine, but they are much heavier to handle. The work was repetitive, but we were grateful for the opportunity to earn money.
I came across some old family photos that really brought back memories.
Top left: There’s my brother, sister, and I picking daffodils in a local field. We must have had special permission,
as this wasn’t the norm.
Top right: Check out my sister looking super cool on her chopper bike decorated with daffodils,
gearing up for the annual flower parade.
Bottom photos: Here we are, the three of us, putting in the hours peeling flower bulbs at a local barn. All the hard work paid off, because that’s how I saved up for my first stereo system. (Thankfully that terrible haircut grew out quickly, but perhaps not quick enough!)
A BACKGROUND IN TEXTILE DESIGN
I studied Textile Design at Royal Academy of Art, The Hague where we were introduced to a broad range of techniques, from screen-printing to knitting, weaving and photography, and of course surface pattern design. I continued my studies in the UK where I undertook an MA in Textile Design at Winchester School of Art.
In 2000 I set up my own studio and for many years, I worked freelance as a textile designer for the fashion and furnishing industry. Of course, flowers always featured heavily in my designs.
Flowers don’t tell, they show. – Stephanie Skeem
In the Netherlands you are never far from pretty floral installations. Take Como & Co for example, a rustic, informal restaurant overlooking a large lake. This pretty arch greeted us on arrival and isn’t it wonderful how my dad’s cardigan complements the colours of the flowers perfectly? It is the simple things in life that give me great pleasure!
From the lowlands to the magnificent Alps in St Moritz, Switzerland. This beautiful floral installation was created by Kuit Flowers for the welcome reception of the RSVP Symposium 2022.
OUR BEAUTIFUL GLASS HOUSE SHOOT
How gorgeous is this autumn inspired styled shoot perfectly coordinated by What Peggy did Next. It is always an honour to work with the best in our industry.
Planning & Design: @whatpdidnext
Photographer: @chelseawhitephotog
Venue: @ourbeautifulglasshouseFloral
Design: @allforlovelondon
Chair Hire: @the_w_collection
Hair & MUA: Emma from @portraitsbridal
Bridal Boutique: @morgan_davies_bridal
Bridal Fashion: @alonlivnewhite
Accessories: @robinsonpelham @islejewellery @botiasaccessories
Bridal Shoes: @studiobycharlotte
Groomswear: @sammyaki
Stationery: @romeoandjulesstudio
Catering: @jacarandacatering
Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow. – John Lennon
KAREN TRAN AT THE SAVOY, LONDON
Back in 2019 Karen Tran transformed the River rooms at the Savoy into a floral wonderland with a sea of white and cream roses, orchids and tulips for an evening of opulence at this iconic London hotel. It was an unforgettable evening made even better by a perfect stay in a Riverside Suite, lucky me.
Wedding Planner: @plannedforperfection
Venue: @thesavoylondon with @savoyweddings
Floral designer: @karentranevents with @wildaboutflower
PAINTING FASHION
My mum, who was a talented tailor and fashion designer, made all my clothes when I was younger. We often designed outfits together and I cherish the memories of our outings to markets, fabric shops and wholesalers, sourcing the perfect materials.
When it comes to painting live, I love nothing more than painting vibrant, floral dresses. I particularly enjoy capturing the fluidity of the fabric as it moves. When I paint at events, I often record guests on my phone as they walk towards me, as if they are on a catwalk. It is very flattering and far more dynamic than a staged pose. It also shows more of the guest’s personality and mannerisms.
I use a mixture of gouache paint, pastels, pencil and pen, often on coloured mount board, so the white paint really stands out.
Flowers are like friends; they bring colour to your world. – Unknown
A UNIQUE WEDDING AT SEZINCOTE HOUSE
India in the Cotswolds, that is one way to describe the amazing and magical Sezincote House. It is
still privately owned and the gardens and tearoom are open to the public.
The house was built in the “Indian Style”, a unique combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.
Only a few special weddings are hosted every summer, so it was a privilege to capture this
beautiful marriage.
Venue: Sezincote House
Flowers: @wizzandwild
Cake: @cakedaydreams
Dress: @halfpennylondon
Planner: @byrebeccacabb.getwed
FROM MINIMALIST TO EXTRAVAGANT
Two beautiful stylish weddings. The one on the left with contemporary, minimalist flowers created by Forest and the Flowers and the one on the right of Princess Beatrice with a huge flower installation by the
talented Rob Van Helden.
APRIL SHOWERS AT THE GRANGE
This joyous wedding at The Grange in Hampshire, UK had it all: sunshine and showers. I thought the flowers and umbrella’s looked really pretty together and I like how it sums up the day.
A COLOURFUL WEDDING AT RHINEFIELD HOUSE, NEW FOREST
Venue: Rhinefield House Hotel
Wedding dress: the Bridal Dress Company
Suits: Moss
Flowers: Kemlo and Kemlo
Hair & Makeup: Evie Cervenka
Cake: Saraj Louise Cakes
FANTASIA 2 WITH FLORIST AMIE BONE
It is hard to describe in words the visual feast that is Fantasia, floral artist Amie Bone‘s magical creation. I attended Fantasia 2 and it blew my mind. The gala dinner, the entertainment, the flowers everything combined sent my senses into overdrive. As soon as I returned to my studio, I created these paintings of Amie. This year I am beyond excited to be painting live as part of the official Fantasia 3 team.
Floral Design and Concept @amieboneflowers
Technical Production @luminaire_events
Event Producer @califanoproductions
Event Planner @brucerussellevents
Photos @sanshinephoto
Venue @eventsatbac
LET THERE BE BLOOMS OF COLOUR!
I think my paintings speak volumes: My love for flowers is undeniable and ever-growing. It all started growing up surrounded by Dutch bulb fields and now, every time I attend glamorous events, I am surrounded by beautiful floral installations created by the most talented florists in the industry. I consider myself very lucky!
