www.middleburglife.net
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September 2014
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Floral Artistry from a Daring Young Man on a Flying Trapeze By Linda Young For Middleburg Life
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ark Harding’s work may actually demonstrate that there’s actually a clear connection between performing in the circus and designing floral arrangements. It’s about the artistry and creativity required in both endeavors. Harding, who was always drawn to the beauty and joy of floral design, launched his new Aldie-based business, Reikis Studios, about 18 months ago. The name uses an Old English word for the main vein or stem of a plant or the spine of a feather. Before his current career as a floral designer, Harding, a Kentucky native, said he “once ran away from home to join the circus.” He ran all the way to the San Francisco School of Circus Art. Eventually, after some intensive training, he became a principal artist as an aerialist at a company he co-founded called the Indian Circus Project. He described it as a “custom entertainment opportunity” highlighting trapeze artists. He once was awarded the “most original artist” by the Armenian Cultural Council for a collection of works that premiered in Albacete, Spain in 2009. Harding, now 32, traveled the world for several years performing and working with many different circus people with varied backgrounds from a wide range of cultures.
While swooping upside down, through the air and eventually rolling off the net on to the ground, Harding actually gained a unique perspective. He said he saw the audience and his surroundings in a completely different way. Finally, he said he realized he wanted to return to the U.S. and find a place to build opportunities and outlets for artists. He eventually landed in the Washington area and started thinking about flowers. Before creating his current floral business, Harding worked at a company in the Nation’s Capital called Amaryllis. It was a strong market with a large and sophisticated client base. Harding said he learned from the experience that “if you can imagine it, you can make it.” Currently, Harding and his partner, Darin Sellers, work out of their “cottage-style” home overlooking the Little River in Aldie. They have a lovely view of the river that offers inspiration for their design. The sunroom has become the “wet room” where they clean and prep vases and containers, process flowers, and create the arrangements. Another room in the house is used as an office for placing orders, consultations, and other business. Harding said he’s very interested in supporting local growers when he can. “There is so much content in our yards,” he said, adding that he uses “custom concepts and conceptual styles” when he arranges. He’s also very much aware of the floral
Reikis Studios can often be found at the Middleburg Farmers Market
Darin Sellers confers with Mark Harding, owner of Reikis Studios
environmental impact of his business and said that for certain events, exotic and “out of season” blooms may have to be ordered from faraway places. “Every occasion is different and the floral content must reflect both the event and the customer’s intent,” he said. Harding added that he’s been inspired by his global perspective of art, cultures and rituals he encountered during his circus days. He also abides by the principals of patience, persistence and the enjoyment of creating with flowers. “Each bouquet is unique and not every piece is going to look identical,” he said. “Let the design take its own shape, because you cannot control nature.” Harding is now creating floral arrangements for the Inn at Little Washington, one of the
Photos by Leonard Shapiro
most beautiful and highest-rated restaurants in the area. This summer, he and his partner have offered their “Flour and Nectar” items at the local Farmer’s Market. The baked goods, including cookies, scones and donuts, all baked by Sellers, were a hit. Harding said at some point, he’d like to have a shop in Middleburg, the better to provide quality floral artistry to support the many area events and parties. And he’s always enjoyed sharing his knowledge of flowers with workshops and demonstrations at area garden clubs or other public venues. Oh yes, his circus experience is still very much in evidence, as well. He has an outdoor studio where he also can teach you how to become a trapeze artist. n
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