"I am really close to my audience"
 

Johan Huisman (1962) has managed his own florist shop for 23 years and this is still obvious. At the end of many a demonstration or workshop he is told that he has shown 'saleable floral work' and that the audience (many of them florists) can "transfer his examples directly to their own shops."

Freelance designer with lots of shop floor experience would be the best way to describe this designer. His flower binding and flower arranging diploma is the cornerstone of his work. This was followed by a series of training courses, from adhesive techniques to human resources management. However, the best school was his own shop, which he ran for more than 2 decades in a small village with just 5000 inhabitants. "I always mention this fact. It brings me closer to my audience when they realise I am not from the big city."

Enthusiasm
Johan always combined his work in his shop with appearances abroad, in almost 30 different countries. Demonstrations and shows, workshops, photo shoots, shop makeovers and training courses. He is competent in English and German and even has a little Italian. He feels that his strongest weapon is his ability to inject enthusiasm into the way he passes on his knowledge, skills and experience to fellow florists. The fact that he came first in the World Championships in New Zealand proves that he is very good at floral design.

Hotel in the sea

He has good memories of a huge Christmas show he organised for a garden centre in Florence and of training the hotel personnel on a British island. The hotel was offshore and could be reached on foot (in Wellington boots) at low tide. At high tide it was accessed by a strange amphibious vehicle. "The wheels were under water, the cockpit – containing the flowers – stayed just above sea level."

Theatre fan

He takes some of his inspiration from reading and from his colleagues. However, improvisation is also a huge source of inspiration to him. "If your stock is not complete and the show still has to go on, you are inclined to start nosing around in the nearest attic. What you find there can be very surprising." His favourite flower is Amaryllis, although this is something he was told by someone else. "He pointed out that I nearly always use that particular flower." The huge collection of theatrical costumes Johan has in his home is also very striking. "Wigs, hats, suits, everything! I adore shows, musicals, plays." In the former school that is now his home, Johan has dedicated an entire room to his collection. His collection is often in demand for the annual gondola parade through the village for which Johan handles the decorations.