Art in Bloom = Window Design

library window prior to my design

Happily gearing up for another Village Garden Club Art in Bloom event happening on March 12 - 16, 2012, at the Lynnfield Library. I agreed to design the lobby display window pictured above to help get the word out about the event. Thus began my design process on a project that I could really sink my teeth into. How would I best highlight the event, and visually show the artistic creativity involved in the "art of interpretation?" I WOULD SHOW THE PROCESS!!!!

Inspiration provided by Britt Daw

Art in Bloom begins with INSPIRATION, and this is the piece that I chose to interpret this year. Interpreting a painting or piece of art is a very individual thing. An interpretation will be somewhat reflective of its interpreter. The best part about interpreting art is that there is never right or wrong way, to go about it. It is in ones ability to think outside the box, and be able to use flowers as your language to convey a meaning.

Floral designing and painting are actually very closely related in that the designer/artist follows a similar thought process. Some of the words that best describe the process would be theme, texture, inspiration, scale, form, light, color, mass, shape, implied meaning, composition, harmony, rhythm, emphasis, balance and line. These words helped me understand what I wanted to show in my window design.

I decided to create a small scale interpretation of my painting for the window design, using silks. A visit to Jacobson was in order, as they have an enormous selection of silks, containers, and floral "do - dads" of all kinds. It did not take long for me to make my selections, and get back home to start the designing.

Flexibility is the name of the game. Being able to improvise when needed, and realizing that there's more than one way to skin a cat. My overall design concept stayed true to the original thought, but it was necessary for me to make adjustments to some of the details, as the process unfolded.

silk flowers

wire container

See you soon, as I will be setting up my window design this week to help kick off the event. Look for additional posts on my final window design, silk interpretation, and Art in Bloom design done with fresh flowers.




Until next time...L.

Boston Antique Show

I had the wonderful opportunity to design a floral arrangement for my friend and designer, Yvonne Blacker. Yvonne's latest venture is her online magazine, New England Finery. New England Finery was in attendance at the Boston Antique Show, this past weekend. I was very honored and excited to be able to have my design on display at such a large event. I met Yvonne several years ago through the Village Garden Club of Lynnfield. Yvonne has been working diligently these last few years building a business for herself, and putting her design ideas out there for all to enjoy. She has been a true inspiration.

When I begin the design process for a project such as this, I have to work with visuals provided by the client. Yvonne had given me photos of her furniture, rug and color selections for the space. One additional inspiration was the cover of her online magazine, New England Finery.

While meandering through HomeGoods as I often do, I scored this outstanding vase. Not knowing all the details of the design yet, I took a chance. I had a feeling that this vase might work, and if it didn't I would use it for something else. The vase is a modern interpretation of a hobnail milk glass design, and its height was a lot of fun to work with.

After my design was complete, I planned a visit to see Yvonne's dinning room vignette in person. I wanted to be assured that my arrangement had helped to support her overall design concept. Working with photos can be tricky, but I like the challenge. I was pleased to see that all was as it should be, and thrilled about the feedback that I received from the antique show patrons.




Until next time... L.

Art in Bloom | 2011

Tonight was opening night for the Village Garden Club's Art in Bloom program. Garden Club members chose paintings by artists of the Lynnfield Art Guild that they then interpret with flowers. All paintings and floral designs are on display from April 11-15, 2011 at the Lynnfield Library for the public to enjoy.

This year I interpreted a painting called "Covered Bridge" by artist Carol MacKendrick, a member of the Guild. The colors in this painting were fantastic to work with.

The process starts (for me) with finding the "right" container, which happened to be at HomeGoods. I then brainstorm about what I want my design to say, visually, and what I might imagine the artist was trying to portray in his/her painting. It's a way to use my creative talents, and to showcase (hopefully) the artists work in living form.

The fact that this container was wooden, and had legs made my job even easier.  The color and shape of the container were just the icing on the cake. The combined elements of the container helped to support the look of the bridge, and create the feeling of a horse drawn carriage. The open design created by flower placement helps to show the pathway through the bridge; giving the design a focal point around the horse. A horse was an obvious add-in (for me), as the dark color helps to depict the inside of the bridge. I envisioned a horse from the moment I looked at this painting as though the scene had come to life. My choice of flower material was geared toward color and texture. I love strong colors so this painting really spoke to me.

This is my sixth year participating in this program, and I look forward to many more. It is always sooo interesting to see what other garden club members create. I always learn a little something each year from the other members as each interpretation is unique in its own way.



Until next time...L.