Another one of our amazing freelance designers, Jesse, helps keep The Branch rockin’ and rollin’ in the production area. Here at the studio, we call him Antonio – which happens to be his middle name – because we already have TWO Jesse’s and the confusion level was getting real! Whether he is singing along to the Pandora station while designing or laughing along to whatever craziness is going down, we love when Antonio is in the studio. He is a newer designer, but is learning some of the ropes of the floral design world from Debby, and our other designers!
Learn more about him below!
Favorite Memory at The Branch?
I think everyone will agree that Debby makes late nights at the studio a party! Creating arrangements and singing along to Beyoncé with friends is always memorable!
Favorite Flower?
It’s so hard to just pick one, but if I have to choose it’s peonies. I actually started my first plant last year. The variety is Shirley Temple. It’s a beautiful white double bloom with a heavenly fragrance. I actually want to start growing more varieties. Surprisingly they do great in Dallas!
What do you do to relax?
Getting my hands dirty in my garden is the best type of therapy for me. Deadheading, fertilizing, trimming, watering, adding compost to flowerbeds, you name it! I love doing all of that. I also love visiting different parts of Mexico, there’re so many amazing places to see!
What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
That I graduated from Texas Woman’s University. People still think it’s an all women university. I really appreciate the diversity at the campus. All the different types of ethnicities, genders, and ages I encountered helped me opened my mind to new ideas and cultures. TWU fit me perfectly!
How did you get into floral design?
Her name is Gayla Alders. One of my dearest friends. I worked with her at Nicholson Hardie. We were both in the house plants department, where she made arrangements and I cared for the plants. I later started making arrangements with her. Gayla would tell me all sorts of stories about the time she owned a flower shop in the Bay Area. One day she looked at me and said “You’re pretty good! Have you ever thought about working with cut flowers?” I started looking into it and luckily found Debby and Branching Out. It’s literally my first florist job and I love it! That’s why I like using the #floristinthemaking on my Instagram pictures! I’m learning as I go thanks to Debby and the Branching Out team.
Where do you find inspiration?
Art. All art inspires me! There is so much! Paintings, music, fashion, architecture, sculptures, film, photography… the list goes on and on! One of my favorite artist is Frida Kahlo. I love how she brings dark elements and nature together to tell her story. I do see floristry as a type of art, and I’m glad I’m a part of it!
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