CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INTO FLORAL DESIGN? 

I was always very interested in plants and floral design because of my Grandma. I traveled with my grandparents on road crews paving Alberta and BC when I was young and my grandma would forage the area around us and create floral designs with wild flowers. We made crafts from found objects like bark and rocks. 

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TELL US ABOUT THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF TRANSLATING MARIGOLD SANTOS’ PAINTING AT THE ART GALLERY OF ALBERTA INTO A FLORAL MANNEQUIN?

I was inspired by Marigold Santos images of women in these powerful or larger than life poses. They often are represented wearing masks or headpieces which inspired me to create the helmet in my design. 

I also brought aspects of other artists who inspire me into the design. In the structure of the dress, I looked to Alexander McQueen’s bold, striking fashion designs for inspiration. 

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WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE WHEN WORKING WITH FLOWERS AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THEM?

I would say the biggest challenge was keeping them looking good for the period of time that the display was set up (I had an extra week). I tried to pick flowers that would dry or age in a way that added to the overall design.

NOW THAT YOU’VE FINISHED YOUR FIRST FLEURS DE VILLES SHOW, HAS WORKING ON THIS PROJECT INFLUENCED OTHER ASPECTS OF YOUR BUSINESS OR CREATIVE PROCESS?

The biggest part I learned was to remind myself to “trust the process”. There are always ups and downs in creating and you have to believe in yourself and the project as it “always comes together”. When it came to creating this piece, I held the belief that I am the facilitator, rather than the controller. 

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WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL ARRANGEMENT YOU HAVE CREATED? 

One of the most meaningful arrangements would likely be this past Fleurs de Villes submission as the opportunity came at a time that I was feeling defeated creatively and was “going through the motions” of creating. I feel it was a ray of light to create something I wanted and it wasn’t being dictated by somebody else’s idea. 

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WHAT IS THE MOST UNDERRATED FLOWER IN YOUR OPINION? 

I would say a carnation or the family of dianthus. They can be mass planted to create beautiful textures and come in so many amazing colours. 

DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026?

I am always working on new projects that are not just floral based, I am currently the creative director for one of the world’s biggest malls (West Edmonton Mall) creating hotel rooms, designing theme parks and mall interior installations.

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WHAT'S THE MOST THOUGHTFUL OR SURPRISING FLORAL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED FROM SOMEONE?

 An arrangement from my friends that was inspired by my late Pomeranian “Lulu” which was all in the colours of her. I am currently working on a garden scape in her honour: a perennial all-white flower garden to spread her ashes in. It is approx. 10’ wide and 50’ long. 

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WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWER FACT?

 The lotus flower can bloom in muddy water and yet remain perfectly clean.

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WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWER-RELATED QUOTE OR SAYING THAT RESONATES WITH YOU?

“Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light.” — Jim Carrey