Those who know me know of my great love for flowers. Having been the creative director for Cuckoo Cloud Concepts for over a decade, back in the Philippines, you could say my relationship with florals involved a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Sadly though, I had to leave my great love behind to move to Australia and start another life here. Even more unfortunate was the hope that I had of working with florals again in this new country was quickly squashed by not-so-delightful experiences in the floristry world. My great love for flowers may have turned into a romantic tragedy.
But thankfully, all is not grim and there is hope after all because by the end of 2024, Lisa of The Dahlia Patch reached out to me for a collaboration. The Dahlia Patch, is this gorgeous family-run flower farm in Alpine, and they offer guided harvesting during the Dahlia season, as well as beautiful activities that enrich one’s soul and heart.
This is how my two great loves met: Together with Lisa, we hosted a Watercolour Loose Florals Workshop with a Guided Dahlia Harvest in the Southern Highlands.
At the start of 2025, a dozen lovely ladies came not just a guided Dahlia Harvest but to also learn the basics of watercolour from me. The heavenly summer morning was the stuff dreams are made of. It was just the start of the year yet I have already experienced one of my year’s highlights.
What’s in store for 2026
Dahlia season is upon us and once again, I’m driving down to the Southern Highlands to run not just one but two Watercolour Loose Florals Workshops in 2026, one in February and another in March. I would love for you to join! Book your tickets and learn more about the workshop here.
The Watercolour Loose Florals Workshop with Dahlia Harvesting will run from 8:00am – 12:00pm and you will be able to learn about the basics of watercolours and how to paint pretty loose florals; Included is a lovely morning tea and a guided harvesting of dahlias to take home in a white tin jug.
Gizelle Faye Creative Studio 