Centennial celebration

31 Mar '08 4:40 am

It is our town's celebration of 100 years since the first Borough meeting.The land was originally bought by the Morrin brothers,and named Morrinsville.The area is the most concentrated dairy farming in the world.The estate and subsequently the Dairy factory was named'Lockerbie'after their home in Scotland.We export butter and milk powder.
As part of the celebration,all the floral artists in the town and surrounding towns-as far as two hours drive away are using the theme-100 years-as a floral festival.There are 20 floral courts with many themes.I have been helping with two courts as an artist-I am not a florist at all but am enjoying helping.The first is of the dairy factory..I started in November painting the backdrop.It was to be 15 metres long by 3 metres tall-i had to join 2 long pieces together before I started.I have been working solidly over the summer.
Here is the progress so far.The show is to open in 2 days time.The background and props are ready for the flowers and foliage to be arranged and I will detail them when they are in place.
Dixie.

31 Mar '08 5:22 pm

Wow, what a huge job! I'm looking forward to see more pics.

31 Mar '08 8:21 pm

Everyone was really busy today in the hall,only tomorrow to complete the arrangements.Flowers for the displays are purchased,and the committee pays for them,but foliage and plant matter is usuually brought in from own gardens ...A large number of visitors are expected ,including 32 busloads from long distances.
Photos in strong artificial light do not always turn out,however here are a couple from today.Tomoorow I will put in some of the finished displays.
Dixie.

1 Apr '08 6:06 pm

Finished at last and ready for the influx of visitors.
The ladies have worked with concentration all day .
It was so long that I was unable to get the whole lot in one photograph.
In artificial light the colours were difficult to look natural-the yellows in particular turned out harshly,however you can get the idea.
Dixie.

1 Apr '08 9:12 pm

Beautifully done. That last flower arrangement is gorgeous, what interesting colours.

3 Apr '08 1:11 am

Wow Dixie, I am truly impressed. I could not imagine what you were planning back in the late fall when you were talking about painting a backdrop. And to think you were working on this flimsy fabric. I can't imagine trying to paint a scene on this material. You are a very talented artist I know, but you are also a magician. The finished product looks fantastic and all the floral arrangements are beautiful.

6 Apr '08 11:31 pm

Dixie what a wonderful canvas. I can certainly understand the amount of time and effort put into the project. The photo is amazing. I only wish that I could have seen it in person.

7 Apr '08 6:18 am

Thank you for your encouraging comments.
I have also been involved in another backdrop,depicting the old movie theatre of the town's social life.The depiction was of the showing of 'Gone with the wind.'
All the 'heads'were made from plant material-leaves,pampas grass etc,and the figures of the ice cream boy,theatre manager,usherette etc were all from flowers,as well as the two main characters of Scarlett and Rhett.
I will be writing a story of our work on Winsford website later.
Dixie.

7 Apr '08 6:27 am

Whoops-i put the wrong photo in

7 Apr '08 8:13 am

A thousand times more talented than Scarlet O'Hara, with an inner beauty that shines and doesn't need a fancy sticking-out dress to look good on those stairs, hee hee...

What a talented gardener you are!

Centennial celebration

Centennial celebration

a busy day

Ready for visitors

Centennial Celebration

Saturday night at the Movies

another scene

Wow!