CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS
Friday Love Co.
Carrie Hardaway
is an artist and founder of Friday Love Co. More about Carrie, in her own words:
Born and raised amidst the sunny vibes of Orlando, FL, I came to the city of Louisville, Kentucky back in 2017. For me, flowers have been my steadfast companions through all the seasons of my life.
I have a passion for my community and have done floral murals at my neighborhood community center as well as partnering with local businesses on art projects. I believe that flowers and art are both universal languages that connect us all. Everyone is creative and everyone deserves flowers.
My mission is simple: to spread flowers and inspiration throughout Louisville. I'm deeply involved in advocating for the arts scene here, collaborating with esteemed organizations like the Fund for the Arts, Center for Neighborhoods, and the Speed Art Museum.
Where you can find Carrie
What’s your earliest memory involving flowers?
I grew up with a giant beautiful southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) tree in my front yard. The long, welcoming limbs provided the perfect climbing holds, inviting me to escape into their embrace for hours on end. With a book or a snack in hand, I'd nestle into the branches, feeling as though I'd found my own little world up there.
Even now, the scent of a southern magnolia instantly transports me back to that cherished spot in the tree. I can close my eyes and feel the rough bark, hear the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and sense the comforting presence of those fragrant flowers. As a child, I would gaze at the magnolia blossoms with a mix of wonder and reverence, hesitant to disturb their delicate petals. It was always the best smell and the most comforting feeling to be safe in the tree.
What was trajectory of your flower-related artwork? Do you have formal art training?
I’m 100% self taught -- I always joke that I try to draw other things but everything comes out looking like a flower. It’s the thing that comes most naturally to me, and flowers just jump out of my pen.
What’s the story behind the name Friday Love Co.?
The answer is pretty simple. I started this company the same year that my husband and I got married on a Friday. But more than that - our love has always felt like a Friday. Like a breath of fresh air, something to look forward to, the night you always want to plan something fun. My hope with sharing my art with the world is that each person would get to experience a piece of that love in their day too. Also, yes, I constantly have The Cure song "Friday I'm in Love" stuck in my head.
Can you tell us about what you’ve been working on lately?
My current project is centered around the idea of women still blooming no matter what stage of life they are in. Throughout my younger years, I was inundated with messages, even from other women, suggesting that once you pass your 20s, your vitality and relevance begin to fade away. I was told both outright and subtly that I wasn't going to ever be as beautiful as I was when I was “young,” that I wasn't going to be as spirited, vibrant, connected, or relevant.
As I approach my 30th birthday, I want to reject this notion of decline. Instead, I'm using my art to reclaim my narrative and celebrate the ongoing bloom of womanhood in every stage of life. I'm crafting a floral piece as a personal empowerment symbol, reminding myself and others that I am still thriving and evolving in this new decade. It's a declaration that I am not only allowed, but encouraged to remain relevant, contribute meaningfully, and continue creating. I also wanted to invite those that I love to participate in this piece - anyone can bloom, anyone can grow right where they are.
Choosing daisies, my birth month flower, as the centerpiece of this piece is a deliberate nod to my journey. They've been a constant companion throughout my life, serving as a reminder that age is no barrier to owning one's story and embracing every moment with strength and grace. My aim is to challenge the prevailing narrative imposed on women and inspire a shift toward celebrating the beauty and resilience found in every stage of life.
“Anyone can bloom,
anyone can grow right where they are.”
Do you have a favorite season?
Spring holds a special place in my heart as my favorite season. It embodies abundance and growth, reminding me that beauty awaits on the other side of patience. Growing up in Central Florida, I didn't truly experience the four seasons; it was mainly just “hot” and “a little less hot.” However, upon moving to Louisville, I was captivated by the stark contrast between the barrenness of winter and the vibrant rebirth of spring. The sight of daffodils, snowdrops, and pear trees adorning the city in its early spring days left me in awe and filled me with a newfound appreciation for the changing seasons.
What’s your favorite flower?
My husband when we were dating called me his "sunflower" and I called him "my dahlia". I will always associate dahlias with him and I love how intricate and complicated and lovely they are (just like him).
I actually commissioned our friend who writes poetry to write a poem for our wedding ceremony and he centered it all around us being a dahlia and a sunflower.
The photos of your rehearsal-dinner dress and matching backdrop look so amazing! Where did you find the dress and how did you come up with the idea to paint the backdrop?
My wedding dress had a strong art deco vibe, but as someone enamored with floral aesthetics, I wanted to infuse our wedding weekend with a touch of floral maximalism. I looked for genuinely months for the right flora dress but ended up finding this fabric on Etsy instead. I enlisted the talents of my sister Abby (you can find her on Instagram @abbygoodknits) to craft the dress for me.
When I saw the fabric for the first time I knew I had to paint a piece to match it. It seemed romantic to me that the last few photos taken of us before our wedding would be us surrounded in florals. The backdrop ended up being 9x12ft and literally took up the entirety of my living room for weeks while I painted it. Out of everything with planning my wedding, it was the biggest project! There is still paint on the floor from it to this day. My husband's outfit was actually from the ‘70s and we rented it from a local vintage store (@nittygrittyvintage).
What does abundance mean to you?
When I think about abundance, I think about wildflowers. They never bloom out of scarcity or fear, but rather, they thrive exactly where they are. I want to live out of abundance and from being rooted in the richness of the present. I want to trust in the inherent beauty of life that is unfolding and blooming right where I am.
Image credits: Carrie Hardaway, Andy Granstaff, & Rachel Crain
Thank you so much, Carrie!
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