living

by Sondra Holtzman for The Bulletin Special Projects photos by Kevin Prieto

As a young woman with a passion for helping other people, Madison Hartley has devoted the past two years of her life as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Her desire to learn more about how art can affect victims of trauma, a question she first began exploring while studying social justice and fine arts in college, led Hartley to the Americorp program and to the position as Arts Support Group Coordinator at Bend’s Saving Grace, a shelter for local women and children.

Hartley said she was drawn by the intensity of the job at Saving Grace and appreciated the idea of being able to bring art into the shelter. Her role offered Hartley a chance to bring art to others, while also giving her an outlet for her own artistic talent. The match couldn’t have been more perfect.

Living off a stipend of just $4.75 an hour, however, presented Hartley with a need to find another income source.

During college, Hartley had worked for a florist, honing her skills in the art of floral arrangement, an experience that fostered her passion for flowers. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a focus on painting, but art and flowers, she said, were a natural connection for her.

That connection is what Hartley called the “seed idea” for pursuing a flower business. Through her position at Saving Grace, she had learned about matched savings programs for business startups through NeighborImpact.

In December 2013, a year and a half after joining the other women’s advocates at Saving Grace, Hartley launched her new flower business: A Native Bloom, a wedding and special event floral design studio specializing in romantic, ethereal floral arrangements.

For Hartley, bringing a fine art approach to floral design is an ideal way to incorporate art and flowers into a successful business. As a painter, she said she often found flowers would find their way onto her canvas, so turning her paintings into living art was a natural transition.

“Unlike painting, I liked the idea of working with living things and the unique challenges that brings,” she said. “Each variety has its own needs when you work with it. I love the thought and time that goes into each arrangement. It’s a fun collaboration where I have the opportunity to explain and educate people on flowers while working with them to design their wedding. Sharing and explaining my love for flowers has been one of the more surprising components to the business. I knew I loved designing and being surrounded by beauty, but working with brides and their families has really been the icing on the cake.”

At A Native Bloom, emphasis is always placed on sourcing the most locally grown and interesting materials. Each arrangement has a variety of flowers and foliage, allowing each texture, movement and color to work together, much like the elements of a painting.

Hartley is quick to acknowledge the support she received from her co-workers at Saving Grace when she began pursuing her new business. They offered her enough flexibility to schedule her time around wedding consultations and photo shoots.

For Eli Blackwood, Saving Grace’s children’s advocate, Hartley’s ambition to be able to maintain her role at the shelter while starting a small business was nothing short of inspiring. It seemed serendipitous that the young entrepreneur found a way to put her skills to use in a way that would not only keep herself happy, but provide happiness for others while also paying the bills.

Blackwood said she feels Hartley’s unique outlook on people and life stems from her artistic self, and having seen first hand how she was able to bring art into a difficult setting in a fun, appealing and therapeutic way, Blackwood had no doubt Hartley would be successful in her new professional adventure.

“Women who have never had the opportunity to do art, let alone been given the chance to be personal and creative with it have walked away from an art session with Madison feeling empowered, beautiful and capable, which is something we all deserve but many only long for,” Blackwood said.

Fueled by drive, focus and passion, Hartley continues to work full time with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at Saving Grace while utilizing her time off to grow A Native Bloom. Her flower arrangements at Saving Grace add cheer to the office and shelter, making everyone feel better.

“Madison’s arrangements are not like other florist’s creations,” said Blackwood. “When you look at them you see there is more to it than just flowers in a vase. You see art. She talks about color and shape and the process of keeping the blooms alive. Flower arranging seems to be her sparkle — that one thing that just makes you feel bright inside and out.”

Hartley gleans inspiration from the family values instilled in her from her childhood.

“My mom and dad had the courage to home-school me and teach me the basic ideas of truth, beauty and thinking for oneself at an early age,” she explained. Additionally, Hartley said she’s been encouraged by her brother’s success with his wedding photography business. “This has really encouraged me to harness the confidence to found my own.”

Her confidence is paying off, evident in how well received her floral business has been, a result she credits to her simple, romantic approach.

“I like to think of it as a return to the classical style of allowing the flowers speak and move for themselves,” she said.

For Hartley, the meager income she earns as a volunteer is payment enough to be given the opportunity to share art with the women and children who find themselves seeking shelter at Saving Grace. With a drive to pursue her passion, the artist has found a way to make a creative living despite what some might have seen as a financial barrier.

“Regardless of the small stipend she has been making for the past two years working as an AmeriCorp volunteer, Madison has managed to start her business from scratch,” said Blackwood. “She found something that seemed like a great idea and went with it. So far, everything is flourishing.”