The spotlight is on Knotty Lemon Designs

Driftwood Decor and More

A love for Atlantic Canada and a passion for nature drives Adrienne Dean, owner and artisan behind Knotty Lemon Designs.

By Heather Fegan

Finding extraordinary beauty in using raw reclaimed wood and other natural materials, Adrienne Dean harnessed a lifelong artistic hobby into a thriving business endeavour, where she works to create commissioned pieces and other masterpieces, and run workshops, private events, and camps using knotty aged reclaimed wood that was once someone’s lemon.

INSPIRE ME Magazine sat down with the talented Maritime Folk Artist to talk about her business, how she strives to master the elusive work/life balance, her favourite forms of self-care, and her biggest inspirations.

Adrienne Dean is the artist behind Knotty Lemon Designs, using knotty aged reclaimed wood that was once someone’s lemon to create beautiful works of art. #maritime #folkart #artist #knottylemondesigns — Adrienne Dean is the artist behind Knotty Lemon Designs, using knotty aged reclaimed wood that was once someone’s lemon to create beautiful works of art. #maritime #folkart #artist #knottylemondesigns

Tell me about Knotty Lemon Designs. What inspired you to start this, and how did it come to be?

I can’t remember a time in my life when I did not think of myself as an artist. I was always drawing and painting as a child. The desire to work with raw materials and paint have been a hobby of mine for as long as I can remember. Whether it be spending time on the trails, lakes or the beach I have been passionate about enjoying natural surroundings to its fullest. There is an extraordinary beauty in using raw reclaimed wood. There is just something remarkable about barn boards and unwanted pallets. The distorted grain patterns, exceptional colors, and impressive designs in each piece that cannot be recreated by anyone else other than Mother Nature herself.

A friend of mine was making furniture out of reclaimed wood a few years ago and I asked what he was planning to do with the scraps. He said he usually tosses them in the bonfire. From there, the rest is history.

Knotty stands for the more knots in the wood the better, and lemon, someone’s trash turns into someone’s treasure. What was once someone’s lemon turns into my lemonade.

What services does Knotty Lemon offer?

Driftwood Wreath workshops (both in-person and online)
Workplace Team building events
Private events (bachelorettes, retreats, girls night)
Summer art camps for kids
1.5 hour workshops for kids
Birthday parties for kids
Custom pieces, commission based

Adrienne Dean says she finds extraordinary beauty in using raw reclaimed wood and other natural materials. #driftwooddecor @maritimefolkart #driftwood

What does your day-to-day look like in terms of running the business?

Because my work days are usually self-structured, morning routines are especially important. I need to be in the right frame of mind to produce my best work in the studio.

Before I head into the studio, it’s important to remind myself of my “why.” I like to think of three reasons I am grateful for being an artist and three to five things I want to accomplish during the day in my work.

Practicing mindfulness reminds me of how lucky I am to be living my passion. It’s also a way to kind of renew my passion in my art. By stating what I am grateful for, it helps lessen any stresses that are happening in my life and frames my world in positivity, and opportunity.

I typically look over my inventory, schedule, and sales and see what customers I need to catch up with, what invoices need to be sent, what gallery I need to ship work to. If inventory is low. it’s off to a beautiful shoreline in Nova Scotia!

Tell me about the materials you use and the time you spend sourcing them

Old barns--each custom piece is sourced locally from renovations on old buildings, typically over 100 years old. My dad has been a huge supporter of mine from day one. My parents have taken a few Sunday drives over the years to help me with sourcing material and finding hidden nooks.

I use driftwood, sea glass, rocks, and other natural pieces. I can’t honestly say how long it takes me because it has become part of my lifestyle. Sometimes I will schedule a weekend to myself and collect enough pieces to last me for months. Other times I will go for a beach walk with my boys and dog and find some beautiful pieces--and having helpers is always a treat!

What are your favourite pieces to create?

That’s a tough one! Commissions. The stories behind the art are incredible and I feel honoured to be a part of something so important in someone’s life. People love telling me the history behind what I am creating and it never gets old. Whether it be a childhood home, a family cottage, where a couple met or a wedding venue.

A Driftwood Wreath created by Adrienne Dean of Knotty Lemon Designs graces the front door of the Ivy House Inn in Lunenburg.

What are some of the struggles you've encountered along the way?

Covid. Everyone decided to take up painting! Which is awesome—however the problem was there was a point in time where there was zero paint left in the stores. I wasn’t able to travel to beaches to replenish my supplies and packages were delayed by weeks. Thankfully with the patience of my customers, they made it easy for me.

My workshops were all canceled or postponed so I had to pivot to online workshops. In the end it was my silver lining because it forced me to try something I’m not sure I would have ever explored. Because of my online workshops I was able to host people all over Canada. From Nunavut, British Columbia and Alberta all the way to PEI and Newfoundland. I had a woman who is living in Alberta buy an online workshop for her niece in New Brunswick so they were able to be in the same workshop together.

How do you find balance?

Balance is a tricky word. I like to think I’m more of a juggling act. Some days my kids get the majority of my time, some days my work does. I haven’t quite mastered the perfect balance. I’m lucky because my kids see me work and they join me sometimes. Being a mom and running my own business has its challenges. Prioritizing my work is essential.

What are some things you do for yourself?

Read, podcasts, beach. I love to travel and explore Nova Scotia, staying at Airbnb’s in Atlantic Canada.

What’s your favourite form of self-care?

The simple things in life. A French press coffee, yoga, candles, local delicacies.

What inspires you?

During the pandemic my children have been an inspiration. Their resiliency through it all has made me a better person.

Music, colour, nature, people, a beautiful landscape (I am smitten with scenery), and the simple act of making marks. Occasionally emotions have a hold and will come out—quite fiercely and suddenly!

Being in nature—I think that’s also very important. Taking notice of all the fascinating shapes, colours and textures. Sometimes all these little things are easily missed. Being out in nature is an amazing source of artistic inspiration and is also very good for the soul.