Highlands Street Festival Feature: Artist Larissa Russell

Recently we announced that the boutique is offering original artwork by up-and-coming local artist Larissa Russell.  Lovely and unassuming, we think she may be the only one in her circle of friends and associates that is surprised at the attention surrounding her and her talent.  We are so pleased to be a stone on her path to success.

Larissa will be in attendance at the Highlands Street Festival this Sunday to show and chat about her work.  Original abstracts, prints, mini watercolours and watercolour cards will be available for sale at Larissa's tent and at Apple Box Boutique during the festival.

Creative, earthy and engaging, we encourage you to stop in and meet Larissa... then, like us, you can say "you knew her when".

♥, 
Apple Box Boutique

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We are pleased to introduce: Artist, Larissa Russell

We are art lovers.  Inspired by our trip to the U.K. and the incredible galleries there, we returned with a determination to carry more works in the boutique, particularly pieces by local and/or Canadian artists.  But where to begin the search?

It didn't take long before we 'discovered' the lovely Larissa Russell, who stopped in at the boutique and shared her story: an artist and educater, Larissa has spent a couple of decades working in various mediums and related endeavors, and has found her passion in the abstract with a softness that is warm and inviting.

Visit Apple Box Boutique to view three of Larissa's original works on canvas, as well as several small-scale watercolours ready for framing and a selection of hand-painted cards.

Fallen is a an original acrylic abstract painting with silver leaf embellishments on 18" x 36" stretched canvas:  $260.00

Chaos is and original acrylic abstract painting with gold, silver, silver and copper leaf embellishments on 18 x 24" stretched canvas: $200.00

Expanse is an original abstract painting on 24 x 24" stretched canvas: $225.00

Oh, the hardship of being surrounded by such beauty!  

♥, 
Apple Box Boutique

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Project Personality: Annie Sloan -The Paint, The Person

Project Personality

with Apple Box Boutique founder Leanne Playter Korsos

As anyone who reads this blog or comes into the boutique knows, I love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ (ASCP). Not because it is a product we carry at Apple Box Boutique, but rather the other way around.

When I opened the boutique, selling paint was never a part of the plan. But I started to use it in my studio, and the more I used it the more I couldn't get enough of it. 

Clients who hire me for custom painting select the type of paint they'd prefer and when they see the look, colours and finish of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ they are always wowed. I rarely work with anything else now because of that and we all love the results.

Once word was out that the real magic was ASCP, family, friends and clients started calling me about it: 'Do you have a tin of that chalk paint?" You don't happen to have a can of ASCP in Old White do you?" "Hey... any chalk paint left over that I can have?" It became increasingly difficult to get anything done before the next call or knock on the studio door came.

SO... we ended up an Annie Sloan™ retailer and moved it into the boutique to make it available to Edmonton and area DIYers.

The reasons I love it are almost too many to name.   Three weeks ago a couple told me they bought their first can because of my sheer enthusiasm for it.  Tuesday they were back to purchase three more because they love it.  I rarely see a paint customer just once... like it was for me, it is love at first try and one can or colour is never enough.

I've started giving out cards that say:

The woman who developed this paint and whose name it carries is an artist, an author, a designer and the creative mind behind the company and she sets high standards when it comes to the development of all her products.  Annie Sloan requires them to be beautiful, easy to use and environmentally friendly.  Plus she is a genuinely nice person by all accounts and that never hurts.

Check out this terrific video... it is short yet interesting and gives good insight into the paint and the person behind it.  I haven't gone into my long list of reasons for loving this paint (today!) because it is all covered here... and I couldn't agree more.

~♥~ Leanne

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Now Available! Three Works of Art by Joseph Cross

A few weeks ago, we excitedly announced that in April we would be featuring the artwork of Joseph Cross at the boutique.  It has arrived!

Three limited edition prints are now installed in the boutique.  They are so beautiful that it's been hard for all of us here not to take them home... best to get in to purchase before they are gone!

“Treasures At Turquoise Bay”

A limited edition giclee, hand signed and numbered.  This painting won second place in an international Seascape competition and was featured in International Artist Magazine issue #19.

"Cotton Lace"
A limited edition  giclee, hand signed and numbered. This is one of Sharon’s favourite irises in our garden.  It blooms early summer, and it is a ritual to examine the buds daily in anticipation of its first bloom. 

The ruffled edges lend such a delicacy as it slowly unfurls into all of its splendour and grace.

The Bloomin’ View”
A limited edition giclee, hand signed and numbered.  This painting was featured in Pastel Artist International Magazine issue #13 as the demonstration piece for a seven page article on Joseph Cross’ work.

Joseph Cross is not only highly acclaimed and awarded.  He is a genuinely nice person who paints from the heart, loves his country and keeps it real with his accomplished wife Sharon Cross acting as Studio Manager.

He writes: "1978 was the start of my professional career as an artist.  Inspiration is all around me and often in the simplest form.  Capturing the essence of a moment is my desire.  Creating art that inspires others is my dream."

Each piece at the boutique is framed and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.  
Don't miss this opportunity... they won't last long!

In April: The Works of Renowned Canadian Artist Joseph Cross

At the boutique, one of the very important self-imposed mandates... we like to call it our joy... is to highlight local and Canadian artists, musicians, designers and the like whenever we have the opportunity.  In this case we are overjoyed!

I have been a huge fan of artist Joseph Cross for years.  Working from his studio in Cranbrook, B.C., he manages to capture the imagination through his perspective on how we live and have lived.  His range is inspired, painting environments, people and depicting historic events in a way that makes one feel a part of the time and space they took place in.

Joseph is a "true red and white Canadian" with a love for his country and the people who inhabit it.  Everyday events and objects come to life through his paintbrush and we couldn`t be happier to share his vision.  We are very excited to announce that Apple Box Boutique will carry three limited edition prints that fit exceedingly well with our cottage-chic/shabby-chic decor options.

Each piece is signed and numbered, and has a story of its own.  Stop in at the boutique in April to view them first-hand, and learn more about their origins. Then make one your very own.

To see more of Joseph`s artwork, visit his website at JosephCrossArt.com.  Be prepared to be inspired!

At First Blush (New Chalk Paint Colour "Antoinette" Creates a Stir!)

Valentine's Day may have come to a close, but the shades of love live on... The latest addition to the Annie Sloan family of chalk paints is arriving very soon and

I. Just. Cannot. Wait.  

Please allow me to introduce... "Antoinette".

Image courtesy Paint Shoppe

This is simply the most beautiful, French-inspired blush pink I have ever encountered.  It may seem... well, odd to some that a paint colour could create such euphoria.  But it makes me happy... so, SO happy!

It is no secret to most that I have an affinity for the flamboyance that was Marie Antoinette, and I have the same giddy enthusiasm for all of the incredible sets, candy-coloured costumes and the too-fabulous-for-words Manolo Blahnik shoes that graced the screen in the the 2006 Sophia Coppola film.  If even one frame is accurate, it is proof that this paint has been heaven-sent from Marie herself.

It turns out that I am not the only one swooning.  Here are just a few of the lovely projects that have been posted online by Annie Sloan and other lucky testers in the U.S.:

Whatever it is... that intangible "je ne sais quoi" has my full attention!

So many dream projects awaiting "Antoinette"... Ooo-la-la!

*Where not noted on images, original sources are unknown.  Please let us know if credit can be provided!

Don`t Miss "Late Night on The Ave" Tonight!

It is finally here!  Our first Late Night on the Ave event happens today and we couldn't be more excited.

From 4 PM to 9 PM, shops and restaurants along 112th Avenue in historic Highlands will be offering discounts, promotions, contests and talent.

Shop at Apple Box Boutique and Sugar Blossoms Floral Design (6507 - 112 Avenue) and receive great deals just in time for Valentine's Day, including:

• $10 off our Annie Sloan Chalk Paint "Reimagine It" Kit
• Voucher for 15% off furniture purchases Feb 2 - 15
• Voucher for 15% off when you pre-book your Valentine's arrangements
• Receive a free SB vase with in-store purchases of pre-designed mixed-cut bouquets Feb 2 - 14
• Receive a free SB vase with in-store purchases of dozen roses Feb 2 - 14

PLUS:

Don't miss Sara Isabel, performing at 7:30 PM
and enjoy complementary beverages

& Enter To Win a store certificate for a dozen roses + a Teddy Bear for Valentine's Day!

Don`t forget to vist 112th Avenue merchants for more great deals!

See you tonight!

Late Night on the Ave

One of the things I was completely sure of when Apple Box Boutique, the brick and mortar edition was becoming a reality early last spring was that I wanted to find a way to highlight local/Canadian artists, be they musicians,  fine artists, comedians, actors, photographers... well, you get the idea.  So I wrote into my business plan that once a month we would do just that and hold an event at the boutique, wherever that ended up being located, and then started telling everyone I met about it.

Lucky for me we landed in the Highlands merchant district where the 112th avenue restaurant and shop owners championed the idea in their own businesses and together we are presenting "Late Night on the Ave".

Thank you to the lovely Sabrina O'Donnell of Sabrina Butterfly Designs for creating this graphic.

On the first Thursday of each month, merchants in this quaint, historic community will open our doors from 4:00 - 9:00 PM and offer promotions, contests and more.

The upcoming Late Night event on February 2nd precedes Valentine's Day and is a great opportunity for Edmontonians to cash in on deals and get your flowers ordered and gift-buying done, not to mention alleviate concerns about line-ups, or for some particularly busy people who shall remain nameless, forgetting the day and being caught off-guard.

At Apple Box Boutique/Ambiance Events, any excuse for a celebration is worthy and we are very happy to have local up and coming musician Sara Isabel performing at the boutique.  When you stop in for Sara's set, enjoy a complementary beverage and enter to win our "Love is on the Avenue" contest.  (Watch the blog for our 'concert' poster, available tomorrow, with performance times and more.)

Sugar Blossoms Floral Design shares our space at 6507 - 112 Avenue and is joining us in offering the contest prize of a gift card for a Teddy bear and a dozen roses.  But that's not all!  There are plenty of deals to be had at all of the Highlands businesses taking part:

Poster created by Laura England, Mandolin Books and Coffee Company.

That should help make Valentine's Day what it is meant to be... stress-free and loaded with L-O-V-E.

See you there!