Sketching Orchids - Flora's Art Adventures

Flora gets up close to check out the details of the orchids.©CindyRippe2014

Today I took Flora with me to the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  It's the last weekend of their Orchid Show and I didn't want to miss it.  There were thousands and thousands of flowers and even though the March winds were chilly today,it was nice and warm inside the greenhouses.  Flora and I want to thank Amy Litner for helping us get up close to the flowers and take this picture.

Relaxing by  the greenhouse where it was nice and warm. ©CindyRippe2014

Actually this is just one of my 15 minute sketches.  When you sketch a flower it makes you look closer at the details and you learn more about the plant. Why don't you try making a few sketches?  They aren't meant to be a perfect, finished, drawing.   Just a way to "see" the shapes that make up an object.  No pressure, just fun!

Great art picks up where nature ends. Marc Chagall

Shopping for Flowers at Mariano's

Mariano's Italian Flower Market - Frankfort, IL - photo ©CindyRippe2013

I finally went to Mariano's over the weekend. The best way for me to describe the store is that it's like a huge local fresh market. I think they explain their philosophy best though. "Mariano’s is unlike any other store. See for yourself how we bring you the freshest high-quality foods from just about everywhere in the world...be it kosher bagels from down the street, or mozzarella from Caserta, Italy. And we created a neighborhood shopping environment filled with amenities like an Italian coffee shop serving authentic gelato, a wood-fired pizza oven, and sit down sushi bar; not to mention a full-service pharmacy. All at prices so compelling, that our Shop well. Eat well. Live well.philosophy can become yours too."

We found some great organic vegetables, and we want to go back for the pizza and gelato some day, but I was anxious to check out the Italian Flower Market.  They exhibited at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show and have been on my "places to go" list ever since.  Well, this is just a small section of that department and I loved it.  What do you think?  I would have loved to spend more time there just absorbing all the beauty!

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.  Hans Christian Andersen

The Idea of RED - Tulips that made me smile

Part of a display at the Antiques and Garden Fair - photo ©CindyRippe2013

I don't usually choose bright colors for flowers in my garden, but this year the orange and red tulips have been especially hardy.  They do add a cheerful pop of color to my tulip bed and on days like today (I didn't really feel like going outside) they are easy to see from my window.

This display, at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair, is a great example of how red can grab your attention.  The entire display consisted of 4 rows of columns (they looked like those cardboard tubes used for cement forms) that were painted bright red and filled with tulip plants.  The tubes formed an aisle for show attendees to travel from one tent to another.  At one end of the aisle the planters were about waist height and filled with lavender tulips. The colors graduated from the purple, through the reds and up to the orange, which were really tall. (well over my head) The effect was stunning and you couldn't help but smile as you walked through.

The display was designed and donated by artemesia - Maria Smithburg and Manfredini Landscaping and Design. 

Every person is like a single tulip.  While they may blend when together, each one is special in its own light. Daniella Kessler

Antique American Wicker at the Chicago Botanic Garden Show

Antique American Wicker booth at Chicago Botanic Garden Fair - photo ©CindyRippe2013

The tour of my favorite booths at the Antiques and Garden Fair at Chicago Botanic Garden continues with Antique American Wicker.  Owners, Michael Donovan and James Butterworth, were friendly and knowledgeable, about their collection.  Their business is located in Nashua, New Hampshire in an 18th century estate.  They started out restoring and selling antique wicker after furnishing their family's porches when they were young. Isn't that how many of us start out in entrepreneurial businesses? Doing the research and work to accomplish a personal goal and falling in love with what we've learned. They later became full time antiques dealers. I, for one, love what they have found.

That huge garden gazebo is made of metal (I'm not sure if it's painted but I love the patina!)  I wish I could have captured a better image of the wrought iron doors.  They were spectacular!  And, once again, I focused on the flowers.  That's my passion; just as there's is collecting and selling all those fabulous one of a kind treasures.  I collect white ceramic flower pots and so I found that row of  green pots filled with flowers to be absolutely charming.

I have a friend that used to live in that area.  I wonder if she ever shopped there?  I'm adding it to my "someday" travel list. Even if it is just to visit with Michael and James and to see that 3 story post-and-beam barn that their collection is housed in.


Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural. Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Leftovers Antiques at the Chicago Botanic Garden Show

Leftovers Antiques and Home Mercantile booth at the Antiques and Garden Fair - photo ©CindyRippe2013

As promised, I'd like to feature some of my favorite booths at the Antiques and Garden Fair at the Chicago Botanic Garden last weekend.  I really enjoy the combination of antiques and collectibles with plant, flowers and in this case, terrariums that the vendors strive for in their displays.  It represents living with your antiques not just displaying them which is what we do around here.  Yes, some things have been broken, and yes I was disappointed, but at least we got to use them! I do get picky when I'm decorating though. It takes me a while to decide how I want to set things up but once I'm happy with it we enjoy our tiny house.

When I walked into Leftovers Antiques, Home Mercantile's booth I received a warm welcome, and that warmth extended to the displays that surrounded me.  The shop in Brenham, Texas, offers a mix of items in their ever-changing 10,000 sq ft showroom.  If you have the opportunity, try to stop in and get inspired.  I know it's on my "someday" list!

Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it - memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey. Tad Williams 

From the Ground Up at the Antiques and Garden Fair

Organic Gardening Display at the Antiques and Garden Fair - photo ©CindyRippe2013

This charming display by The Organic Gardener reminds me of the way my Grandfather would garden.  He was very proud of the natural materials that he used.  We've been going through old family pictures this week and even found one of him standing next to a pile of compost bigger than he was.  Maybe it was manure, I'm not sure. But the point is that he took care of the earth, didn't use chemicals, and had the most delicious vegetables I can ever remember eating.  There were flowers mixed in and they worked well together.

Throughout the Antiques and Garden Fair there were displays that combined leaf lettuce, herbs and flowers. I like the thought of enjoying the view as you gather the ingredients for your lunch.  All the while, your are making good use of the soil, enriching it for future generations, and all that healthy food is good for you!


When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.  David Orr

Positive Minds produce Positive Lives

Display by William Heffernan Landscapes at the Antiques and Garden Fair - photo ©CindyRippe2013 

Art and the Garden - Chicago Botanic Garden - Antiques and Garden Fair

One of the reason I love the Antiques and Garden Fair is that the dealers combine plants and floral arrangements with their wares.  There are unusual, and sometimes really large, garden ornaments and planters.  I've seen vintage lawn furniture, cast iron fountains, statues, and even a gazebo for sale.  Several of the vendors hired professional florists to create the floral arrangements that add elegance and charm to the booth displays.

This vintage planter and cement statue, filled with hydrangeas, welcomed us to the Fine Art Collection in the Framont booth. Owner, Bruno Francois, explained that it's considered Secondary Art.  I really enjoyed viewing the combination of Vintage and Contemporary pieces in the booth.  The shop is located in Greenwich, CT and you can find more information about the gallery at ArtNet and Dealers Showcase.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”  Edgar Degas

A Day at the Fair - Chicago Botanic Gardens Antiques and Garden Fair

A Day at the Fair ©CindyRippe2013 - Vendor booth info listed below

I was able to attend the Chicago Botanic Gardens Antiques and Garden Fair today.  I enjoyed amazing displays, unique antiques, beautiful flowers and conversations with inspired vendors. Of course I shopped a little!  I love that events like these are a part of my job.

I'll follow up with details and more pictures next week but I wanted to give you a peek.  The last day of the show is tomorrow so there's still time to shop and enjoy this once a year event!

Booth photos, clockwise from upper left; Tea 'n Cozeys, Leftovers Antiques, Shorr and Dobinsky, The Antiques and Garden Fair Banner, Antique American Wicker, Lee's Antiques - Kenilworth, IL.