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Flowers ... paper and otherwise

8/7/2022

4 Comments

 
mandala arrangement of yellow and white flower petals on black background
Flowers ... paper and otherwise
Last week I received a beautiful gift from a friend ... a handmade paper box with cut paper roses adorning the lid. In the note she sent along with the box, she talked of the Victorian meaning of flowers ... roses in particular. They hold meaning for love, honor, faith, beauty, balance, passion, wisdom, and intrigue.

My friend's flowers reminded me of the collage work I've done with flowers, much of it inspired by collage artist Mary Delany. Born in 1700, she started her collage work at age 72(!) where it's now exhibited at The British Museum.

Delany's work was especially striking with black backgrounds and vivid colors.

The floral arrangement above mimics Delany's style with the black background, but with natural materials. You can try it yourself by deconstructing and arranging just a few flowers (this arrangement is a lily, a daisy, some greens, and a small yellow flower I can no longer identify). Make your arrangement on black paper or some other background ... just be mindful of working outside and the breeze, it will wreak havoc with your petals (yes, that's the voice of experience).

And remember, it's not too late to start something new. Mary Delaney did at 72 and from what I've read about her, it changed her life.

Let's get going.

4 Comments
Meham
8/8/2022 08:34:58 pm

Thanks for this! I’m turning 70 this year and beginning to “collage” together my lifelong creative interests into a studio career. Story, flowers, all of it! Thanks, again
M

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Chrissy link
8/9/2022 05:16:37 am

That's terrific! I like the idea of a "studio career" to collage together your creative interests. I'd love to see what you make.

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Cathy
8/9/2022 07:43:20 am

I read a biography of sorts about Mary Delany. The pictures of her collages were astounding! They looked like paintings & must have had thousands of tiny pieces of paper. I've still got a few years before I need to think about following in her footsteps. lol!

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Chrissy link
8/9/2022 10:26:00 am

They are amazing. Not sure I have the patience for such detail, but they're wonderful to look at. And yes, a few years to go, but even at 72, or any age, there's so much we can do.

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