How California’s Flora Inspires These Creatives

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ustina and Trevor Freel stand in the garden of their La Canada home and studio, where they explore a variety of artistic disciplines through their creative practice, Rose Thicket. Justina and Trevor Freel stand in the garden of their La Canada home and studio, where they explore a variety of artistic disciplines through their creative practice, Rose Thicket.

From a 100-square-foot studio in La Canada, just north of Los Angeles, husband-and-wife team Justina and Trevor Freel hand-produce ethereal botanical artworks while concurrently designing homes, gardens and furnishings for clients. Their multidisciplinary firm, Rose Thicket, melds their talents yet lets each oversee areas of particular interest. (Their prints, for example, are made on a vintage press and combine Justina’s illustration skills with Trevor’s knowledge of mineral inks.) Their symbiotic relationship is further enhanced by their love of nature and time spent together in the garden that inspires their work.

One of Justina's cut-paper works features California native plants including Apache plume, Brodiaea and California wild rose.

One of Justina's cut-paper works features California native plants including Apache plume, Brodiaea and California wild rose.

A gate shaded by an arbor stands at the entrance of the Freels' garden.

A gate shaded by an arbor stands at the entrance of the Freels' garden.

ustina and Trevor Freel of Rose Thicket

The couple does all their own relief printmaking with a 1936 press.

he couple does all their own relief printmaking with a 1936 press.

ased on Justina's original illustration, a print depicts a wreath of white fairy lantern.

Based on Justina's original illustration, a print depicts a wreath of white fairy lantern.

ustina and Trevor Freel of Rose Thicket

Justina and Trevor Freel of Rose Thicket

Beneath a bunch of fresh beets is a print of a bee skep, one of the botanical artworks that their design practice is known for.

Beneath a bunch of fresh beets is a print of a bee skep, one of the botanical artworks that their design practice is known for.

Leche, short for Dulce de Leche, a Brussels Griffon mix, sits near a fountain; he is one of several pets who populates the Freels' lives.

Leche, short for Dulce de Leche, a Brussels Griffon mix, sits near a fountain; he is one of several pets who populates the Freels' lives.

How do you get your creative juices flowing?

Justina: By being in the garden, taking a walk in the forest, getting a massage or lighting a Juniper Ridge incense stick that grounds us to the botanical spirit of California.

Tell us about your most treasured creation.

Trevor: The watercolor painting Justina did of the cottontail rabbit and jackrabbit leaping over a rose thicket. It’s our story of overcoming adversity to pursue our dreams.

Tell us your favorite family tradition and what makes it so special.

T: We’ve started a tradition of planting California native plants for special occasions or in times when we’ve had a tough day and need an emotional pick-me-up.

Tell us about an artwork that turned out differently than how you expected.

J: All of our hand-cut paper silhouettes are a pleasant surprise for us–once they’re framed, we can see how the layers interact with light to cast shadows that express the essential form of the plants.

The best piece of advice I ever received was…

J: I had the amazing opportunity to meet Jane Goodall when I was twenty. She told me to always follow my heart. I do this with every action in my life.

Tell us about your all-time favorite book.

T: Tending the Wild by M. Kat Anderson. I’m always seeking to learn the traditional, ecological knowledge of indigenous cultures, to holistically take care of all beings and the earth so that it can heal and regenerate.

Do you have a muse? If so, who and why?

J: Our muse is the natural world. We’re always amazed and grateful for all we have learned, and the lessons we are continually learning.

PHOTOS: AMY DICKERSON