Is this not the most beautiful wedding EVER???
Well, in keeping with ending on a high note, I would like to post this as my very last wedding.  Yes that’s right, no more weddings, no more flowers, no more all nighters and a summer in the red.  Knowing me, it probably won’t be forever, but I thought it best to focus on my painting, my family and my other adventures I have brewing.  This blog will now become more of an artistic net for all things creative that pass through my life.

Soft whimsy and elegance mixed with tradition and warmth – the flower inspiration for this wedding.  The interior space and the Sofre Aghd were kept white and fresh with hints of green and the exterior was rich with colour and fruit filled arrangements.  When we returned that evening to remove the flowers the glow from the patio lanterns against the fruit arrangements caught my breath.  It was so peaceful that despite knowing that we would need to be there most of the night, we had to take a moment to sit and take it all in.  Or maybe that was just my very swollen 7 month pregnant ankles speaking…

I hope you have enjoyed this floral adventure as much as I have.
I have many more inspirations to come, as life seems to be filled with them.
Until next time xxx
Laura

It feels like forever, but I have finally completed my 17 foot commission for the new Aria Restaurant, opening this year at the end of February.  I started this piece while very pregnant with my daughter and finished it with my newborn girl on the outside.  She’s now over a month old and is on the path to becoming a little artist herself with all the exposure she’s had inside and out.

Aria 198"x120" Oil on Canvas, 2011

Half way through this commission I had my favourite photographer, Rebecca Wood come into my studio to help document my two art pieces – belly and painting both very much in progress.

You know, we get so wrapped up in deadlines and life that sometimes we forget or just overlook those that are the important people in our lives.  Lately I’ve been so busy I can barley think.  I work FT then paint in the evenings and weekends + do the occasional wedding here and there.  My husband has been even busier setting up his new company and taking on so much work that we barely see each other except to crash beside each other late in the evenings.  It’s nice to be reminded once in awhile what it’s all about in the first place and how everything began…

♥ to all the loves in my life I hope to see you soon!
click here to listen to a great song:  SMILE by Rebecca Zapen

xx L

…when summer begins to turn, when the leaves begin to colour, when newness is in the air.  That moment in a grey day when the sun breaks through and touches everything, making it glow.
This is that moment…

The Moment 60"x60" Oil on Canvas, 2010

Torontoscape 24"x48" Oil on Canvas, 2010

The latest from my studio craziness…  much more to come!

I was recently commissioned to work on two extremely large scale chandelier paintings, which are going to take me right up to the end of October…
I’m madly trying to wrap up all my current commissions to make way!

This is a Toronto scene from a series I worked on a few years back.  I was recently commissioned to do a continuation of this series as a gift for a friend.
Great gift I think!!

Hello my blog friends!  If I still have any…
I know I know, it’s been ages since I last posted.  So so sorry!  Well I do have a few good ones lined up for you, so hopefully that makes up for my disappearance??

Lately I’ve been pretty swamped in my studio balancing both wedding season and the painting.  I wanted to give you a glimpse at life in my studio this last weekend as I prepared the flowers for my niece’s first birthday party!  The palette was pink, more pink, spring green and orange.  It turned out really pretty and perfect for a little girl’s first birthday!

Absolutely love love love my new studio setup! I even have a cot underneath my table to help keep me there longer.

Today.  The day before my 30th.  The very last day of my 20′s…

You know I really wasn’t all that worried about entering my 30′s up until today.  I’ve accomplished most of the things I set out to in my 20′s: finding a career in the arts that I enjoy and that challenges me; working as a painter; finding the person I want to spend the rest of my years with; buying our first place together; being able to travel and see more of the world.  Check, check, check.

My greatest challenge is that my life as a painter is being quietly pushed aside for all the other things in life that seem to take over.  I had once thought that it would be simple to have a dual life, managing all worlds equally.  I’m realizing more and more that it is quite difficult to do two amazing things with equal amounts of passion and energy, one is always lagging.  This has been my painting for the last few years.

A good friend of mine once told me that talent doesn’t fade, when you’re ready for it, it will still be there.  My wish for my 30′s is that I will have more time, more energy and more left in me for my art.  Starting up this blog has in part made me realize that my life is filled with so many beautiful and creative things.  It has helped me to express this and find new creativity and new ways of working in floral design.

When in Japan these last few weeks I was once again amazed by the attention to detail and amazing sense of design in everything from the display and colour coordination of street food to the perfectly placed arrangement.  Traveling opens you up to experiencing these new ways of seeing.  I hope to be able to do this more and bring you much inspirations over my next year, my first year of my 30′s.  See that doesn’t sound so bad…

Much inspirations to come!
LJW

Happy Birthday to my Heung!
I’m so sorry that I’m not able to celebrate with you today…
I know you will have a great day with friends!
♥L

(these are just a few pictures from our recent trip to Cuba)

Today I picked up my wedding dress…  from the cleaners.
It had been so long since I dropped it off that I almost forgot about it…  my AMAZING Lela Rose ‘Light House’ dress!

I knew instantly that I was going to walk down the aisle in one of Lela Rose’s dresses.  Her sophisticated yet understated design and her use of non traditional fabrics really embodied everything I wanted in a dress.  My dress was the one thing that I really splurged on.  But how could I not?  It was the most perfect piece of clothing I have ever worn!

I am so thankful for the wonderful people at White who helped me make my agonizing decision between my two chosen dresses (so beautifully named, Light House and The Pond).  I by far made the right choice!  Thank-you White and especially Andrea Anastasiou for making the experience so enjoyable!!!

All the dresses at White are exquisite, but my favorite choice of course is Lela Rose.  Maybe I am biased since she studied as a painter and a sculptor first before entering the fashion world, but really her dresses are so unique and refreshing!

These are just a few of my favorites.  I’ve also included a few images of the incredible box that came with the dress, such a nice touch and great for storing all your memories from the day.
Enjoy!
♥ LJW

I had the privilege of being a part of the Style at Home photo-shoot of an art filled space in the Broadview Lofts.  One of my Chandelier paintings can be seen hung in the guest room.  The shot is really beautiful!

This amazing space is home to James Robertson and Davide Rupiani of James Robertson Art Consultants.  The design by Croma Design is simple and filled with light, the prefect backdrop for James’ vast art collection.

Click here to view the full article and more amazing images of the loft and all the art that fills it. (pages 59, 68-75, 90-91)

Enjoy!
Laura Wood

My studio mates and I are hosting an open house this weekend. If you’re looking for something to do and you’re in the Toronto area, come by!  It should be fun!
We’re in the Artscape building in Liberty Village. All the information is in the image below (I’m in shared studio 111 – 1st floor, near the back of the building).

Hope to see you there!
LJW

Today my in-laws came to see our place for the first time and I put together an arrangement for them.  I had some flowers left over so I ended up making a few small pieces for around our place as well…
enjoy!
♥ LJW

My new portfolio website for my paintings!
After roughly six years of waiting I decided to do something at my own skill level using iweb on my mac, and really, it’s not bad at all.

I’d love to hear any suggestions you may have!
Check it out here and let me know what you think.

Happy long weekend!
Laura Wood

I would like to share with you a few images of a recent commission of mine, for the Printemps Department Store, in Paris. I’ve included an article that was posted on the luxury issues website which shows several images of the space along with a really nice image of one of my paintings installed. Unfortunately, the article is in French, but the images are beautiful!
The design is by YabuPushelberg and the art selection by James Robertson Art Consultants.

Click here to view the full article.

Enjoy!
Laura Wood

Printemps des Arbres 1 | Oil on Canvas | 72" x 72" | 2009

Printemps des Arbres 2 | Oil on Canvas | 72" x 72" | 2009

It’s been a lot of hard work but it’s finally finished (well for now anyway…)
This is where I spend most of my time, where I paint and work with flowers!  It’s now set up for both.

I will be in my studio working hard to put together some amazing flower inspirations and ideas for you, so keep checking back!  I should have my next project up on the weekend, and it’s a good one!
Can’t wait for you to see it!!!

LJW