Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Temple.
Hi Robin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started off my art career as a photographer. Robin M. White Photography. Mainly back and white. Pre-digital, so film and the darkroom were my medium. After receiving a BA degree at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara I lived and worked in the Los Angeles Area. I then moved to New York and worked as a photo assistant to learn the business. Loved New York but after a couple of years, I was ready to move back to California. San Francisco always held a special place in my heart, so I decided to relocate there. This was where my photo career really took off. I worked for magazines, clothing companies, and being so close to the Napa Valley, wineries. The next chapter for me was marriage and a baby and a brake from photography. During this time digital photography started taking over. I didn’t like it, it wasn’t film. So, I decided it was time for a change. Also, I had a small child and didn’t
have the time for the long days that a photography career demanded. Also, we were back in the Los Angeles area to be closer to family. I went back to school to pursue another interest in the arts, Interior Design at FIDM. They taught me how to draw and I started painting, large abstracts, and my business turned into Robin Patterson Paintings. This took an interesting and unexpected turn; an art program was needed at my daughter’s school, so I stepped in. This began a teaching career as an art instructor and my paintings stated to sell…
When my daughter was ready to start High School, she was accepted to the Orange County School of Arts. So, we moved to Huntington Beach. I was in need of a job and got one at Trader Joe’s working with the flowers and that’s where my floral career began. A friend that I worked with told me of a floral design program at Golden West Community College in Huntington Beach. I thought it would be good to take a couple of classes to help with my position at Trader Joe’s. One class and I was hooked, went through the whole program. After graduation and working a few weddings, I opened a floral design studio in Signal Hill. I put everything under my business name-Robin’s Juke Joint-A Floral Studio-Photos, Paintings, and Flowers. With a large emphasis on flowers-Robin, Temple Flowers-I opened the doors and jumped in with both feet. That’s when my career really took off. Flowers were my new medium.
I mostly do florals for weddings, also parties, and sympathy flowers. I opened the studio in March 2021 and have done over 100 events. I’ve always loved flowers and as an art form it’s very creative and satisfying. Sometimes life takes you down an unexpected path or two, I believe if you stay open, it may lead to something really special. Robert Frost said it best…
“Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Bumpy, smooth, easy, hard, fun, frustrating, all of it. Mostly good. Dealing with people can be challenging. I have been blessed with nice brides, sometimes the moms can be difficult but mostly because they want everything perfect for their daughters. I get it. As floral designers, we have to be problem solvers because there is always something different that comes up. We are constantly learning and growing. If you learn from mistakes and make them right, it can turn a negative into a positive.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Wedding florals are my main focus. I really enjoy working with brides when they tell me their color palette, which flowers they are wanting and then trust me to create their wedding flowers. Honestly, that’s when it turns out the best. I love to try different things, use different flowers and greens. I work with an excellent supplier and products come in from all over the world.
My work is modern and ever-evolving. I want to keep it fresh and keep growing as a designer, keep true to who I am as an artist.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Over the years I’ve worked with a lot of different types of people. The best ideas and results are when you find and work with a group of like-minded positive individuals. That’s when the magic happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.robinsjukejoint.com
- Instagram: @robintempleflowers, @roinsjukejoint, @robinpattersonpaintings, @robinmwhitephotography
Image Credits
Robin M. White Photography
