Branding Photoshoot Edmonton
Hey!
If you’re new here im Brittany, if you are looking for a branding photoshoot in Edmonton, i’m your gal!
Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing and interviewing a unique artist whose medium is something that will make your jaw drop. It’s always exciting to have the opportunity to capture the work of artists from different fields!
I had the chance to delve into the mind of this talented Edmonton moss artist and learn about her creative process, inspiration, and the challenges she faces when working with such a delicate and organic material. Join me as we explore the fascinating world of moss art and get to know the artist behind it all.
1.How did you get started in the world of moss art, and what inspired you to work with this unique medium?
I’ve always been a very crafty & sort of DIY enthusiast, so trying my hand at various art mediums was something that really felt natural for me. When COVID started my youngest had just been born and had serious health issues, which lead us to staying indoors indefinitely. The impact of losing access to nature was devastating and I am TERRIBLE at keeping live plants, well, alive lol. I tried my hand for months and with our busy schedules and being in and out of the hospital with our littlest, this just ended in a graveyard of greenery. So, in came moss art! While browsing designs online, I couldn’t find something that quite had all that I was envisioning, so with a little research I decided to make my own! What started out as a fun hobby for myself, family, and friends, quickly turned into something huge within the community! That was early 2021 and now here I am almost 3 years later, designing large scale commissions, award winning, designing Moss Murals that have never been done before, and just so proud of what I’ve built and accomplished.
2.If you could design a piece for any celebrity who would it be?
This is actual a difficult question to answer, but also so easy. I never had a celebrity make a real impact into my life, aside from Jensen Ackles – hear me out. He’s well known as Dean from Supernatural and his role honestly saved my life during a really dark time.
In December of 2021, my dad was violently murdered and aside from losing my most best friend, my entire world crashed around me, and the ability to get my mind off of anything other than my tragedy was nearly impossible. After months of only casually watching cooking shows, which was my safe place, I found Supernatural. Early on in the show, these two brother lost their dad, and the emotions he displayed while also trying to navigate his life, find the thing that killed him, and care for his brother hit me so deeply. It felt like my life in this fantasy world! Watching his character continuously go through literally hell and back and still find a way to fight gave me so much courage and hope that I too could overcome this lost and still go on to do great things. So if I ever had the ability to design a work of art for a celebrity, it would most definitely be him, even though he has no clue, he saved my life.
3.When you aren’t creating stunning moss art in Edmonton what are you doing?
Ahh, running on fumes, caffeine, and chaos lol. There probably isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not actively working in or on my business in some way, but the majority of my time is spent being a home maker. I have 3 wild and loving children and husband of 13 years. They most definitely keep me busy and happy.
When I do happen to find a break from the hustle of life with young ones, you’d find me out in nature (no surprise there), spending social time with my sister & mom, or curled up in bed with snacks and a great show. This is the busiest season of my life and I’m looking forward to the day that I can have more “Brooke time”, but for now, I’ll keep this busy life over anything else.
4.Can you describe your creative process when designing and creating moss art pieces for clients?
I love this question! I’m not someone who likes to make a “plan” ahead of time for the exact design of a custom or collection piece. I always let my clients know, that drafting is not my forte, it’s being hands on with my moss. The moss is so unique in shape, depth, and size that I find drafting up this wild design in my mind, honestly, a waste. When I step into my shop, I turn on my music, which changes daily, stand in front of the blank frame, and just imagine. I think of each detail that my client wants, the space the frame is going in, and freely create. It’s the best feeling finding a way to get what’s in my mind into a tangible form!
5.Are there any specific challenges or considerations when working with different types of moss?
Moss art itself it’s still an up and coming art media. While it’s trending, there is still so much misinformation on the topic of the moss itself. Some artist use Dried Moss as it’s much more affordable and at the time, seems like an easier option, but within 4-6 months the art would deteriorate and turn brown and basically, you’re left with a rotting art frame. On the other hand, many artist think that using Live Moss is the best option, and for some plant parents this may be a dream, but for the majority of us without a green thumb, this is a huge headache.
I prefer to go with the sweet middle of Preserved Moss. This way my clients have a thriving, lush, vibrant piece of art for 8-10+ years without the worry of upkeep and care. It took months of me trying different brands and wholesalers from all over the world to find my most perfect moss, and right here in Canada! While supporting local was most definitely a bonus, my goal was to find the best moss and plants money could buy, and I found it!
6.Could you share some of your favourite moss art projects or installations you’ve worked on and what made them special or unique?
Oh, to date I’ve created quite a few pieces that I absolutely love and still think about. To narrow down a few:
The infamous hanging frame! This frame style was something I had been DREAMING of, a full scale frame hanging from the ceiling filled with various moss textures and plants. This design is GORGEOUS! Imagine laying down and all you see is the forest scape hanging above you! I’m so proud of her and seriously can not wait to see who my client will be with the next hanging frame.
The Goddess Line: I have to say this was the first time I truly let myself create freely and to an extent where I actually shed tears at just how proud of myself I was. Each frame encompassed a different view of what the moss and plants can offer in terms of look, details, size, and depth. This was such a pivotal moment for me to realize that I don’t need a niche standard to create or “stay in the lines”. I was able to put it all out there and the impact and feedback I received was just emotional and so supportive!
Another favourite would be any larger scale frame. I design a multitude of sizes but the runners (skinny frames) are my favourite! You can add so much detail to larger style frames and the overall look and upgrade to the space it’s in is amazing! It’s such an easy and uplifting way to bring in the forest to any space, I love that I’m able to do this for my clients.
7.What motivated you to get a branding photoshoot in Edmonton done?
When I look at my business & what the future holds for Lush Moss Designs & Co. I see high end, elegant, wild, and tasteful art. Having branding photos done was a no brainer to bring not only my art, but my personal image into that space. To elevate the brand to the standards I have for myself. It was the best feeling to be out in nature, with my art; it felt so freeing and empowering! It’s now something that I have planned to do multiple times a year, I’m already planning the next line for March of 2024 and I can’t wait!
8.What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting their creative journey?
My biggest advice would be, and as traditional as it sounds, “Please, don’t give up”. The success comes from all of that hard work that you don’t want to do, and that no one sees. Creating tangible art that originates from your mind is a difficult process, and it takes practice to get better. We don’t wake up one day with all of this knowledge and ability. It’s something that we learn and fail at many times before we even get close to mastering. & Even when you think you have mastered it, the art world is steadily evolving and you must keep investing into yourself, your knowledge, and skills.
I have an entire shelf full of frames that never saw anyone else’s eyes but my own. They are the frames that I tried something new, it didn’t work out, and sure I felt defeated, but I didn’t give up. I learned from each and every one of those mistakes and continued on. So that would be my biggest advice, just simply don’t stop trying, keep going, and you will find your own version of success.
Thank you so much Brooke, you’re a superstar, your talent is off the charts and I’m excited to see your soaring success!
If you are interested in booking a branding photoshoot in Edmonton for your business contact me at info@brittanylealand.com!
