My Floral Paintings Hop to the Rabbit House

On Saturday March 31, I’ll be in a group show with potters Deb Kuzyk & Ray Mackie and painter Wayne Boucher. It’s another example of my dream-come-true in moving to Nova Scotia. This time, you’re invited! But let me start at the beginning.

Over 10 years ago, on my very first visit to the Annapolis Valley, I wandered into the Lucky Rabbit Pottery Store in Annapolis Royal. I was blown away.

Potters Deb Kuzyk and Ray Mackie created a happy, colourful studio and showroom in the downstairs of an old house. Enormous bouquets of garden flowers spilled out of hand-built colourful vases, decorated with more exotic flowers. Their pottery was humorous, intricate and unexpected. Platters and plates and mugs with skunks, moose or raccoons adorned the shelves. Lidded jars topped with sculptures of birds, mice or frogs peeked out from behind the floral arrangements.Lucky flowers
The walls strong colours matched the brilliant pottery glazes. The place reeked of creativity and originality. I went back to Toronto with a pretty cornflower tile. It held my cups of tea at work and was a daily reminder to me of artists on the East Coast of Canada who carved out a space where they could create beauty and share it with others.

Red Delight
Red Delight © Flora Doehler, 2018 22″ x 22″ Acrylic on canvas $750

Ten years later, that tile is perched on a window ledge in my studio here in Bear River. When I slide into taking my current life as a painter for granted, I pick up that tile and remember the longing I once felt to be able to live in the countryside in a sweet little village, growing flowers and vegetables, surrounded by nature and good friends.DSC02490

Lucky Rabbit House has undergone a few changes in the last 10 years. Deb has opened the doors to other artists and has developed an artists’ house filled with fine crafts artists. Each has their own shop studio space that is open to the public.Floribunda

Deb has invited me to hang some of my new, colourful floral paintings for “Floribunda”, a 6 week-long show of paintings, printmaking, pottery, leather goods, jewellery, tartan themed works, and other treasures.

Wild and Perfect for a Moment
Wild and Perfect for a Moment ©Flora Doehler, 2016 18″ x 24″ $750

During the opening  of Floribunda on March 31, a florist will create inspiring bouquets. Musician Clayton Murray will play guitar.sign

I’m very excited to be part of this creative bunch of artists. Please join us if you can.

Celebrate with me and other artists on Saturday, March 31 from 10 until 4. Floribunda continues each Saturday until Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 13, 2018.

flora doehler - 1
painting ©Flora Doehler, 2018

8 thoughts on “My Floral Paintings Hop to the Rabbit House

  1. Oh my goodness. You have done a fine job with this entry. I’ve always been a fan of Lucky Rabbit Studios. All I can say is…”Wonderful, beautiful, amazing”.

    1. Thank you Mitzi! Lucky Rabbits’ Deb Kuzyck has created a great atmosphere in her building. Three floors of studios! I enjoyed reading your blog piece about New York…sounds like a wonderful trip!

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