Creating floral fine art and inspirational sculptures
“A flower arrangement is more than just a handful of flowers in a vase, and an inspired, creative floral design is more than just a flower arrangement”
You probably already agree with the first part of that statement, but let’s consider the second part a bit further.
My inspiration in the design of floral art comes in part from the beauty and harmony of nature. One finds certain combinations of colors and certain patterns of texture and shape in the natural environment that, to me, are far more beautiful than most artificial images.
I prefer working with natural plants and flowers, whether fresh or dried, and take inspiration from the patterns of Nature to create elegant floral messages of excitement or comfort, love or gratitude, to represent personal expressions of Life’s most important messages. I never use artificial flowers despite how beautiful some of them can be, nor do I use artificially dyed flowers, strongly preferring the colors of each natural blossom and leaf.
The overall structure and form of the finished work of floral art affects the mood of the piece as much as the choices of color and specific flowers. A beautiful glass or ceramic vase is sometimes the ideal base of the arrangement, and sometimes a more complex pattern and shape is more appropriate to the message and can often be inspired by patterns of Nature.
As example, consider the video below of the dry floral sculpture entitled, “Forever,” (which has already found its home).
Whatever the message this arrangement as a whole conveys to you, here are our ideas about the elements composing its design:
- The branches of manzanita reach toward the heavens. Their enduring strength provides a place of rest and contemplation for the butterfly, a symbol of reincarnation and endless cycles of life.
- Manzanita, an evergreen shrub and a traditional symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, is one of the first plants to sprout new, green shoots after a fire.
- Amaranthus flowing from the upper part of the sky-blue circle vase to touch the ground at its base, links the here and now to the reach for eternity.
- Roses bring momentary beauty and the gift of bright memories to light the darkness of cold nights and sooth the longing for joy – and love that endures despite adversity.
- The circle is eternity, the infinite power of pure love created by two souls joined together, sharing their strength beyond all limits for all time – Forever.
Techniques and components used in the creation of Forever included the following:
- The manzanita branches were selected for their size and shape.
- The roses and other flowers were dried through a slow process of several months duration and the best were selected for color and size.
- All colors are natural.
- The types of flowers used were Rose, Amaranthus, Eryngium, Statice, Scabiosa, and Chrysanthemum
- The butterfly is a real Tiger Butterfly.
