I was one of 17 students from 10 countries to spend 3 full days with Gregor in a wooded setting high in the vineyards of the Ahr river valley in Germany. This master class left us all inspired and grateful for the time we spent with this world-class designer and with each other. New ideas, new friends.
My friend Betty from Ireland snapped this photo as I was talking with Gregor about the work.
Modern Rustic was the story that brought us all together in the first days of July. We are all designers - floral artisans, to be exact. While we have all found our own paths in the retail market, our deeper love and passion is to work with flowers as art where line, texture, space, color and all the intricacies of structure and form come together. Gregor travels the world sharing his talents and creative spirit. This class was in his hometown of Bad Neuenahr, a spa town on the Ahr river and the area of Germany where red wine is produced. This was my second class with Gregor, having been in his 2006 class, "5 Days, 5 Stories." It was good to be back.
A day in the woods and vineyards
around a clearing set with chairs and work tables. We watched and learned from Gregor's demonstrations in the mornings and then took to our own work in the afternoons. This piece, which he demonstrated in the morning, began with 24 pieces of heavy gauge black wire and with bending, twisting and wrapping I fashioned a standing bowl. Decorative flowers and leaves shaped from thinner wire framed the bowl to lighted it and give it a slightly romantic flair. There were so many wonderful flowers to work with and I selected some of my favorites: Celosia, Hydrangea, Sweet Peas, Allium, Calla Lily, and Ivy berries and arranged the blooms, buds and berries in Pavé style with groups placed in geometric patterns.
Wire bowl structure: decorative modern rustic style
