stealing from friends

A few weeks ago (not sure how long exactly, been a busy summer) I ordered flowers for a bridal show while I was working on a 4 wedding weekend. Of course the brides come first, so when the flowers came in for the show I looked at what I ordered and thought to myself "my God, what have I done." After I calmed down I realized I saw several of my brilliant florist friends in the selection of flowers. The designs are not copies of their work, but their influence is hard to deny. 1st is a clutch bouquet inspired by Arthur Williams, owner of Babylon Floral (a genius with texture, visit his site, he's an experience.) The bouquet is of; grevellia, orange magic roses, lantana and succulents. A petal ready flower girl basket made of wire, and a Jr. bouquet of lantana. Next a clutch of pink garden  roses and dusty pink spray roses with a few support pieces (a beautifully scented crowd pleaser.) Next a cascade bouquet inspired by Frankie Peltiere and Beth O'Riley (God bless bless 'em.) A lush, floor dragging bouquet of; Mambo lilies, Sweetness roses, calycina and cymbidium orchids attached to wire (totally knocked ' em out, thanks guys!") The last 2 images are inspired by Hitomi Gilliam, a river cane structure  built on a stand given to me by Frankie, here used as an altar piece (or truth be told a stop here piece.) 7 ft. of river cane, lantana, free spirit roses, with birds of paradise lashed to the structure. Thank you my friends, this presentation killed.

taking tiger mountain

For some reason this piece this made me think of Brian Eno's "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy," The rock like container, the colors of the zinnia and lantana and the low to high movement just made the title pop in my head. If you don't own any of Eno's music I strongly suggest you get some.

monarch and admiral

I know this is supposed to be a floral blog but I have become completely enamored with butterflies. When prowling through the backyard (with a camera around my neck) it just seems silly to pass opportunities like these up. They are however all on flowers so I believe this redeems me. Top; the mighty monarch on a Mexican sunflower-Tithonia rotundiflora, actually a member of the daisy family (there's your flower info.) Middle; the rather aggressive red admiral drinking from a lantana bloom and giving me the "that's close enough boy look." Bottom; the same guy on a zinnia with some great light behind him.

roses and lantana

I noticed the lantana blooming outside of the shop and thought it would make a pretty accent flower in bridal bouquets. Top: hot pink roses, pink stock and lavender lantana. Bottom: lavender roses and lantana.