Inspiration from Oscar de la Renta

According to Rosemary Verey, friend of Oscar de la Renta, "gardeners and couturiers possess many of the same talents; imagination, knowledge, and industry. Both know which colors shock or coordinate, which textures rasp or soothe, and both see fashions change—but they never forget that the concept of beauty is timeless."

This week I am enjoying a little get away before the move in to our new location in Alexandria. Husband is attending a conference, and I am puttering, thinking, and exploring Dallas, TX. Today is gray and rainy, and I understand they really need this rain, so I don't mind staying indoors a bit longer.

I visited the Bush Library at SMU and saw the show of Oscar de la Renta dresses worn by several first ladies, and the lovely gown made for Jenna Bush. There were simple lines, elegant folds, fabulous beading and an explosion of texture, but the thing I enjoyed most was seeing that de la Renta is also an avid gardener, and understands how "playing with the colors and textures of plants" can be such a delight.

I love how artists of all stripes seem to find the garden a place of inspiration, and I'm grateful to be able to learn from so many talented artists, both past and present.

Lilium henryi I think

Texture, color and line

Special thanks to Anne Bowen of Charleston Stems for the chat the other day. I love how this work lends itself to collaborating and encouraging others. She lives and works in the lovely southern city we called home years back. Hearing about her journey from kitchen sink to retail shop gave me a lot to think about!   

http://www.charlestonstems.com

A 2010 exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, featured the gardens and paintings of several of my favorite impressionists. I love to draw and find the colors they use appealing, but I hadn't thought of garden design on the large scale as a source of guidance for floral design, which focuses our eyes on a much smaller space.

It seems these painters found their gardens to be a restful sanctuary, but also a laboratory for experimenting with color, texture and design. I can't wait to glean from their experience and train my eyes to see more possibilities, which will hopefully bear fruit in ever more creative and pleasing designs. 

So much inspiration!

From Good to Very Good!

Read a wonderful article by David Trautman recapping a lecture by Andy Crouch http://www.culture-making.com/. This line in particular stood out to me:

"Image bearing transforms the world from good to very good." 

This idea, that we, as people made in God's image, have the ability to take the raw materials of Creation, and even the creative thoughts in our own minds, and turn them from something good, to something very good fascinates me. 

Crouch adds, "the best of culture unfolds the very goodness of the world. Eggs are good, omelettes are very good; grapes are good, wine is very good." And to that I say a hearty, AMEN!

I love delivery day!

These hydrangeas look like sleeping beauty

What an excellent challenge, to take something as beautiful as the flowers of the field and turn them into something even better. God has given us so much to choose from, to play with, as I like to think, and it is delightful to experiment, to discover and to learn to arrange them with an artistic eye.

Though learning requires that mistakes are made from time to time, I still catch glimpses of that "very good" when things come together just so. I love the experience of sharing those very good things with others at events meant to be full of goodness and beauty.

An arrangement for a friend's family gathering

Mother's Day flowers from my lovely redheaded daughter

As Anne of Green Gables used to say, there is so much scope for the imagination everywhere you turn! I've enjoyed living in City settings for the last 8 years, after a good long time out in the countryside of Virginia, and now, armed with my little iphone, I snap photos of inspiring visual vignettes everywhere...poor husband must slow his pace to let me do that "work". I love seeing the ideas others come up with on Instagram, Pinterest, and numerous blogs I'm starting to follow, and really appreciate the shared wisdom and community effort in this space. 

 

Inspiration from around the neighborhood abounds.

Grateful for transitions that slow the pace of work and give time for thinking; a very important piece of the creative process. And while I am in transition I'm taking a little time to draw some of my favorites. Drawing helps me see the flowers in a new way, which might lead to something "very good". 

ah, fritillaria

Ten months later for one of my favorites

Creating floral design for weddings has a lot of perks, but one I'm particularly grateful for is the new friends I've made. Kelly and Jerry Gee were so much fun to work with, in part because they both are so vibrant and full of joy and energy. The flowers they chose fell right in line with their personalities, and carried some seriously electric visual impact.

Kelly recently sent along some of the photos from their day and I felt the excitement all over again! Her bridesmaids were legitimate worker bees, helping to put her bouquets, table arrangements and boutonnieres together.

 I really enjoyed working together with these ladies, and they looked marvelous that day.

flowers created for the church served to welcome guests at the train station

Many folks would have shied away from these bold combinations, but not this gorgeous bride. Wishing them both a joy filled future.

Kelly in her gorgeous gown