Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Mental Notes of Currie and The Plant Keeper


Dear Currie,

That Dixie Cup holder; avocado green plastic, is still screwed into the wall beside the tall pantry cupboard.  The one closet to the sink, which for the record, I finally fixed. No more dripping in the night. I thought I'd go (further) mad with the drip, drip, drip, drip.  

I've resigned to the fact that I won't be making apple pies this Fall. I'll settle for corn relish and Lady Rose pickles. 

The thing about Jesus and Mary. Are they smoking weed or a Camel?  Potheads claim the plant was here and used as stated in the good book of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. But that's not your point I am pondering. I mean you are correct. Who is in charge of this place, this planet, this universe. Seems the humans can't decide and trouble-she's-a-brewing all over the place. Sad and angry people. Lonely souls, lost and forgotten and brutalized and beaten down. 

To magnify all this spiritual confusion we've got souvenir icons and crosses and symbols and tchotchkes made in China, trimmed in faux gold, sitting on car dashboards and hanging from rear-view mirrors. They sit on bedside tables and around skinny necks and grace the mantles of hopeful homes. Do you really think a key chain can save you?  That's the miracle Currie. That we are all still walking and able to function even though we settle to believe in something that can't be proven. Whipped like unruly work horses in the field. I believe you are on to something. Keep going.

I'm having a bad day. I am sad and still hopeless in everything. The potatoes should be good. I planted them a bit late, but the quality of eyes. Amazing! 

Can't shake the memory of him hating me so.  My. Even the dirt under my nails is cleaner than his filthy attacks on my emotions. He was relentless. Vicious. The meanest person I ever met. I wish I could forget his words. 

Tonight's dreams better be in technicolour cause I need some happy to fill me up. Which God is in charge anyway? You see. The world has a problem. None of us can decide.

Love The Plant Keeper

(Read the whole story here)


Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Judgement Days



Herein lies the problem
Buried and burnt and blown into the winds
There is a judge in every direction
Relative pressure
Gauged without accurate measurement
Just your salty tears and dry wit can save you
The moist and fertile ground of your soul
Remains fevered, muggy and scarred
You don't have to wait until you are dead.
These are the judgement days

- Patti Friday


Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

How To Display Knitting Needles




Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

Currie and The Plant Keeper


Dearest Plant Keeper,

Before I answer you about the fragile fruit situation, I wanted to let you know that the elevator in the loft is on the damn fritz. I lug my canvases up the back stairs; annoyed at first, having to go pee, and then beyond frustration I begin to laugh remembering our little cubby inside the farmhouse. You know the place. Under the stairs. We'd hide there when Dad began to yell. You'd grab your little Dixie Cup bean plant. Masking tape emblazoned with your official title marked in scribbled handwriting. All upper case. THE PLANT KEEPER.  Of all the things you wanted to protect while he smashed his way through the creaky floored rooms was your sprouted greenery.  

Forget about the apples for this season my love.  Nature has decided. 

I've started a new series of paintings. "Miracle Whip". This triptych is called, 'Whose Joint Is This Anyway?". The Latino lady who runs the bodega smirked and her cousin was so offended.    

What do you think?

Oh. And about the rainfall. You better do another dance tonight. It didn't work.

Love Currie

(Read the whole story here)

Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Brilliant Beach Reads


Soaking up the sun this year?  Cuddle a good book! Sand required. eBook, iPad or eBooks Editions here.

Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Cotton Candy





Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

A Mental Note






Currie Dearest. You never wrote back to me. And then I got your letter yesterday. 

Thankfully the sunshine and humidity this summer has raised my spirits some what.  Odd that the makers of sunscreen don't really describe in full, honest detail how to use and apply and re-apply sunscreen. For heaven's sake, who knew this? I sure didn't. Did you? Did you realize that SPF 15 needs to be slathered on again and again and again every fifteen minutes! What a racket.  Anyway, here's my dilemma. The apples are not on the tree. Seriously Currie. There aren't any. And none on the ground either. I looked. That crabby farmer down the tenth line was spewing at the cafe, stating that the early Spring and the walloping cold snap killed the buds and confused the bees. Well, I never. What shall I do with our acres and acres of macintosh trees? 

Write back soon. I did a rain dance last night and slid down the banister five times. I think it may have worked. The screen door just banged. Must go.


Love The Plant Keeper


P.S. I am growing garlic to go with your spices.

Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

You Don't Know Me





You give your hand to me and then you say "hello", and I can hardly speak, my heart is beating so. And anyone can tell, you think you know me well... but you don't know me.

No, you don't know the one who dreams of you each night, and longs to kiss your lips, and longs to hold you tight. To you I'm just a friend, that's all I've ever been. No, you don't know me.


I never knew the art of making love, though my heart aches with love for you. Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by... the chance that you might love me too.



You give your hand to me and then you say "goodbye", and then I watched you walk away beside the lucky guy. I know you'll never know the one who loves you so... no, you don't know me.


But I never knew the art of making love, though my heart aches with love for you. Afraid and shy, I let your chance go by... the chance that you might love me too.

You give your hand to me and then you say "goodbye", and then I watched you walk away beside the lucky guy. 

You'll never ever know the one who loves you so... no, you don't know me. I said: YOU'LL NEVER EVER KNOW THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU SO... no, you don't know me.




Greek God



























Named after the Greek God Proteus, these are the best known of the Proteaceae family.  (You may purchase a lovely book about Protea in my book shop here)  Proteus was the Greek God who looked after Poseidon's seals. One of his powers was that he knew the future. For this reason many people searched for him to find out what their future held. But Proteus did not willingly part with this information. His favourite trick was to change shape and escape. Thus to obtain a prophesy from old Proteus you had to sneak up to him and grab tight. No matter what shape he took, be it a lion, snake, fire, dragon or water you had to hold tight lest he escape. If you outlasted him, he would foretell your future. 


Proteas are much sought after for their alluring combination of robust beauty and fragile charm. Products range from the eye-catching King Protea (Protea cynaroides) to the delicate Blushing Bride (Serruria florida), from the rich versatile colours of Leucadendron, to the soft milky hues of Smokebush (Conospermum spp.). Proteas are commercially grown worldwide and harvested sustainably from their native countries of South Africa and Australia. All are renowned for superb vase-life.


There are 136 species - most found on the African continent.  Another 82 types of Protea are found in South Africa  (mainly in the Cape area) and another 35 are found in tropical Africa.  There is an incredible variation in flower size, foliage form and growth habit. A beautiful botanical to base a project on.


Image Source


Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

Floral Trends 2012-2013





1.  Rural Route
Casual and simple floral materials lead the way in compositions that comprise humble blossoms, field flowers and heirloom varieties along with grasses, pods, fruits, vegetables, and vines that demonstrate a gathered-in-the-country look. This color palette consists of hues like barn red, buttercream, denim blue, pumpkin orange, lemon yellow and clay. 


2. Garden Club
Boldness and graphic impact mark the "Garden Club" flower arrangement, which uses vivid color and geometric form to make its powerful statement. This color palette is centered on red and capturing a full range of kindred hues from violet to orange.

3. Sea to Shining Sea
Reflecting the water and sky tones, blue blossoms and sea holly, proteas, wispy fillers and grasses complete the mix in arrangements that are casual and spontaneous and reflecting the carefree attitude of the seaside. This palette embraces the varied blue and green hues, as well as a wide range of neutrals, from driftwood brown to creamy sand and blush shell pink. 


4. American Gypsy
Oversized and bightly colored blossoms are key to the expressive nature of this trend. The palette contains a spirited mix of energetic pinks and a retro-inspired turquoise join a full range of polychromatic mid -to -full hues.


American Flower Trends 2012-2013 - source

Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Flower Stylist













































































My journey into 'Flowerland' has bloomed & greened over the last few years.  I've been involved with many aspects of the flower business. Shopping, sourcing, processing, assisting, publicity, marketing, social media, sales, customer service, retail, researching, trend watching, visual merchandising, producing sales collateral material, branding, buying, website design/development, designing, installations - working in a team environment, consultations, special events, teaching, administration - and the list goes on.  I apprenticed with Judy Nicholls, FD..My styling and photography has truly grown happily with botanicals.  You could say I've fallen in love with them. I have also written published articles about flowers! You may see all the posts here. Have you seen my pretty 'Flowerland' board on Pinterest? I'm wondering if there just might be a message in all of this...................


Patti Friday, Photojourno, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'.


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