An Artist’s Date FLORAL FRAME

HOW THIS FLORAL MEDITATION HELPED ME RETURN TO CALM

I first became aware of An Artist's Date' around 15 years ago while taking part in a creative business course. It's a concept pioneered by Julia Cameron in her book 'The Artist's Way.

The idea is to take yourself off for a weekly solitary trip dedicated to nurturing and filling up your creative cup. It's designed to 'spark inspiration, release stress and fill your creative well.'

The finished ‘Flower Frame’ in my studio.

I’d spent the week preparing for my on-line shop opening, taking and editing images, technical issues with sending my studio letters, feeling quite stretched this date came at the perfect time.

Dried flowers, grasses and willow frame, materials for the artwork

I was warmly welcomed by Lexie (Little & Wild Flowers) and Gretel (Queenies Floral Design) and instantly felt at ease. A beautiful pop up shop come studio space in Bishops Castle, full of dried/fresh botanical’s and vintage finds. Wonderfully guided with suggestions on how to use the materials, and encouraged to simply feel.

Wonderful dried flower arrangements to be taken home and enjoyed.

Choosing flowers and grasses that ‘spoke to me’ varying shades and textures, building up layers. Meditatively placing and weaving through the wire was deeply relaxing, my thoughts and worries subsided.

Home grown Straw Flowers- gorgeous colour.

I bought some Perennials for the garden and a bag of dried flowers to take home for some other projects. Hanging the frame on the wall of the studio helped me to look with fresh eyes, really enjoyed adding a few more elements to the frame.

My finished Floral Frame

Making this artwork really topped me up, creative for the joy of creating, slowing my thoughts, with no pre-conceived ideas and outcome in mind. Something I’m bringing to my practice more frequently.