Ruth Kenny, a former Tate curator and owner of new ‘alternative florist’ Rosebud draws on her background in art history to provide an alternative service unlike that one might expect from a traditional florist. With one of the busiest days of the year for florists looming, Rosebud have put together a special collection of  Valentine’s bouquets inspired by famous couples:  ‘Bogie and Bacall’, ‘Morticia and Gomez’ and ‘Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI’, so Kenny and co have you covered this year regardless of your loved one’s popular culture penchants. We spoke to Ruth about her background and finding her green fingers.

What is your background and what inspired you to become a florist?

I come from an art-history background and before coming back to Dublin last year to start a family, I was a curator at the Tate in London for several years. Flowers are something I’ve always loved and I’ve been arranging them since I can first remember. I grew up in the countryside and my father is a keen gardener and amateur botanist, so I guess a love of plants is in my DNA. Having done the flowers for a number of friends’ weddings over the last few years and really enjoyed it, I decided to turn a growing sideline into a business and Rosebud is the result.

What exactly is an ‘alternative florist’?

Rosebud is an ‘alternative florist’ in that we aim to offer something a bit different from the norm. Inspired by films, books, paintings and music, we specialise in offering beautiful, unique bouquets and event flowers with a large helping of imagination. Each bouquet takes its theme from a different source, from Wuthering Heights to Sunset Boulevard via Dutch Still Life Painting. We also love to use slightly ‘alternative’ flowers; unusual or old-fashioned varieties with the addition of twigs, berries, miniature fruit and other natural elements to give our arrangements a different feel.

Any particular plans for the coming months?

We’re teaming up with more Irish growers over the spring and summer months, which is central to our ethos in terms of sustainability. One of our suppliers, who grows out near Dublin airport, is 87 years old. We’re looking forward to calling on his many years of expertise and working some of his beautiful wild flowers into our bouquets and arrangements. We also have our first Rosebud wedding coming up in a few weeks time, which is very exciting, and creative collaborations with a number of fashion designers and craftspeople in the pipeline. 2015 is going to be busy!

For more see rosebuddublin.com

Words: Danny Wilson / Photo: Giita Hammond

The Drawing Studio, which teaches the practical skills in drawing, sculpture and anatomy (essentially all the fundamentals that underlie so much successful design and art), is moving to an exciting new space on Merrion Square. Hands-on experience and practice is put before theory and in the words of the Sam Horler, director of the studio, ‘the opening of eyes is put before the opening of a word document!’

The rigorous and disciplined nature of the studio’s courses provide students with universally applicable skills that aim to make them more effective and confident in whatever creative endeavor they choose to pursue. With the imminent introduction of full-time courses out of their new home, 2015 is poised to be a big year for this emerging artistic resource. We chatted to Sam about what he teaches and what to expect from the new place.

Tell me about the idea behind The Drawing Studio in general, and what you teach there?

The Drawing Studio strives to be an inspirational space solely dedicated to the teaching of useful, practical skills in drawing, sculpture and anatomy, skills that underlie so much successful design and art. Hands-on experience and practice is put before theory, the opening of eyes is put before the opening of a word document!

The rigorous and disciplined courses provide students with universally applicable skills that will help make them more effective and confident in whatever creative endeavour they are in, or are pursuing.

We want people, of all levels, to fully experience and appreciate the revelatory and transformative power of visual engagement with their world through drawing and sculpture.

What is the story with the new premises? Where is it, and when do you make the move?

We’ve secured a premises on Merrion Square which we plan to have ready for the courses starting March 3rd, this year. We are very excited about the space itself, and the proximity to the National Gallery and the Natural History Museum.

Are you adding new courses in the new studio?

On September 21st this year, we’ll be beginning a completely practice-driven full-time drawing course which will also deal with human anatomy and sculpture. We set it up as there has been such a need and demand for an expanded, full-time version of what we are teaching at the Studio.

The course will run from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Wednesday for six months. It will be intensive, highly disciplined, and challenging. Effective seeing, thinking and drawing demands it to be. No essays or computer work will be required. We don’t offer a degree or diploma, but what we do offer is, I believe, far more valuable and in demand; something to show – an impressive body of work and useful set of skills.

Any other plans for the future with The Drawing Studio?

The plan is to keep getting highly skilled, inspiring people involved in teaching what they know, directly and simply. To put on longer courses and to link up with complementary spaces and people here in Ireland and abroad.

For more information, check out drawing.ie