Now that you've enjoyed the delectable foods served at the Bouquets to Art Opening Night Preview Party, please come upstairs to view the works of art as interpreted by prominent floral designers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
At the top of the stairs, you are greeted with a cascade of white dendrobium orchids spilling into a luscious pool of blooming delights designed by the florists of Blooming Floral Design. Their arrangement adds a third dimension to the diptych "The Niagara River at the Cataract".
Wendy Morck's crescent design cradles the portrait of Maria Maytilda Winkler perfectly.
Mykell Newton of Botanic Gifts contributed a design that lives up to his company's name. The smoky-colored mushroom valley is an inspired idea.
Ron Morgan's architectural interpretation of the Navajo necklace gets the award for Most Ingenious Use of Materials. Two wreath bases serve as great spines for the "necklaces". At first glance, the bold red bromeliad leaves appear to be the only plant material used.
Closer observation, however, reveals other natural elements like eucalyptus knobs, iris fruit pods, black beans, and bisected gourds.
I enjoyed stepping into the botanical shrine Charlotte's Blossoms built for Penelope.
Svenja Brotz's larger-than-life dance partner for Karen LaMonte's Dress 3 was my sister's favorite.
I like the arrangements that work with the paintings as well as on their own, like Lavender Floral's entry for the Richard Mayhew's Rhapsody...
... and Laurelle Hartley-Thom's depiction of Martin Johnson Heade's Singing Beach, Manchester...
... demonstrating beautiful pave technique and great choice of monochromatic florals.
The team at Michael Daigian Design also used the pave technique for their entry. They extended the scene in John Vanderlyn's painting Caius Marius amid the Ruins of Charthage, 1807, with a large stem of sandblasted grapewood...
...and a wardrobe of red roses, amaranth, and succulents.
I've admired Sandow Birk's Fog over San Quentin State Prison, San Quentin, California (2001) ever since the museum acquired it because I used to live nearby the cove in the foreground of the painting. I was impressed with Kim Haworth's subtle references to the prison with the stone-wall container, the striped fabric and bamboo bars.
Florabella's design (top photo) reflects the lily-white skin and mane of red hair in George De Forest Brush's painting of A Celtic Huntress. The galax leaves formed the ideal fabric for the bodice and
the stalk of date palm fruit with a spritz of copper paint was the perfect choice for the red hair. I know many of you were wondering about that strange flower/fruit/creature. You are not alone; it stirred up quite a bit of conversation.
Please stay tuned for more Bouquets to Art creations in the coming days.
26 comments:
I always find these fascinating. I wonder if the floral artists choose their favorite works of art, or the ones they think they can interpret the best? Probably a little of both, I imagine.
All of these are truly exquisite, and you have photographed them so beautifully! Those callas are pure Heaven.
Thank you for sharing all of this beauty!!
Just the idea alone of this kind of gallery blows my mind, DB. And then to see the individual creations...WOW. I love the descriptions and detail you add, to bring this all together.
I love the combination of these gorgeous floral arrangement w/ these classic pieces of art...just stunning, all of them! Now that is a day I wish I was with you! :)
The floral displays are simply gorgeous,I'd love to have seen them in person.
Beautiful photographs.....thank you!
I honestly wish I could have seen these displays in person - simply amazing.
Thanks for sharing DB.
I would definitely have a difficult time choosing a favorite. They are all amazing. I do agree the arrangement that blends with art is wonderful. All are very creative.
Hello Dutchbaby,
Yesterday my mom and I dropped by to admire all the beautiful arrangements repeating the art works. Then the day got busy.....so now I back to thank you for sharing these inspirations. Laurelle Hartley's rendition of Singing Beach and Florabella's piece are my favorites. Both have subtle elegance. They don't need to cry out for attention, but once you look, you realize how hard it is was to achieve such grace.
Thank you!!
We both enjoyed immensely.
About Florabella. When I sharted making my Floralina doll bags I referred to the larger ones as Florabella's.
One more thing.
My mom recieved good news at the Dr. yesterday. Today the sky shines blue!
xox
Constance
ps this weekend is the citywide garage sale ~ so you know what that means for a person like me or your mom.
Amazing arrangements and bouquets, except, I would say, for the Ron Morgan's ones. Just in my personal opinion, of course... :)
Glorious photographs. You do all the works such perfect justice.
The waterfall is delightful. To consider a downward moving arrangement is challenging and innovative.
I love the Morck crescent, as you say "cradling" the Winkler. Do I see some ranunculus in with the roses? Ah, and tulips, and apple or pear blossoms. There something about the use of white in the composition that makes this my favorite, I think.
The necklace metal arrangement is wonderful! Extraordinary use of plant material. And quite manly.
Ohh, the Penelope shrine. That one branch! So simply beautiful.
The dresses! Those are a big wow.
Rhapsody, goodness, that knocks me out, the two paired together. The way you photographed the orange "on" the purple, mmmm.
The beach sunset or sunrise too, I really like it.
Such inspiration!
These are the most beautiful florals I've ever seen. What must they look like in person? So envious. Your shots are well lit. Did you take them with your cell or a digital camera? The detail you were able to capture makes this a fantastic post. Thank you.
To be there surrounded by these lavish floral pieces of art must be an experience not to be forgotten – and also the smell – as I am sure that with so many flowers and plants there must be a definite scent of the outdoor when you enter the exhibition. You certainly help us witness all this beauty. My favorite this time has to be the soft orange, salmon and light terra cotta flowers in front of the painting by Martin Johnson Heade. Then the bottom leaves in the pewter tones and up to the little white flowers resembling the surf – all of this arrangement is perfect. I also am a great admirer of Heade’s paintings, his landscapes and lovely flowers.
Dear Relyn,
Each florist submits a short list and the committee aims to give their first choice. I believe the number of years of participation factors into the assignments.
Dear lisa,
I agree that the callas are perfect for this portrait.
Dear Ginnie,
I'm so glad you enjoyed this tour. I hope you are enjoying the Norwegian coastline right now.
Dear Chesney,
Bouquets to Art is an annual event. Maybe you can come to San Francisco next year. I think you would love it.
Dear Forest Dream Weaver,
I hope you have a chance to see this show in person one day.
Dear Kala,
I think we should have a blog camp next March and all go to Bouquets to Art together.
Dear Marilyn,
With so many styles of design and interpretation, it is very difficult to choose a favorite!
Dear Constance,
I'm so happy that you and your mom could attend my virtual tour of "Bouquets". I love sharing these with creative spirits like yours and your mom's. Yippee on good news from the doctor!
Dear Dona,
I can see how the Ron Morgan piece is harder to love, but I find it quite beautiful. I always value your honest opinion, Dona!
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for your detailed responses to all these pairings. I feel like we walked these halls together, pointing out the details to each other.
White is tricky to use in these arrangements because it is so strong and can easily overpower the work, but Morck did an outstanding job of keeping it all in check. She delivered an appropriately traditional arrangement for this portrait.
Ron Morgan's piece is definitely masculine, sculptural, and so perfectly Navajo.
Dear California Girl,
These arrangements are stunning in person. I hope you have a chance to see them one day.
I shot most of these pictures with my Sony point-n-shoot. Because it has an infrared illumination, it tends to do well in low light conditions. I did break out my Canon Rebel for a few of the photos but most were blurry. All photos are required to be handheld, with no flash of course, and the lighting was poor in some areas. Thanks for your kind words.
Dear Vagabonde,
I'm so glad you like that Heade painting and the fantastic floral arrangement Hartley-Thom created for it. She expertly captured the depth and nuance of the painting.
It still takes my breath away looking at your photos. Amazing!
Dear madretz,
Happy you enjoyed them! Thank you.
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