Bouquets to Art 2023
I was thrilled to see Louesa Roebuck as one of the featured speakers for the 2023 Bouquets to Art event. She is renowned for her sustainable approach to plants, and I’ve been a fan since reading her first book, Forage Flora, several years ago. Her insights into using locally foraged plants from roadsides and open fields were invaluable, especially as a native San Francisco Bay Area resident at the time.
During her demonstration, Louesa focused less on arranging techniques or promoting her new book, “Punk Ikebana,” and instead delivered an inspiring impromptu talk. She critiqued the floral industry for its lack of eco-friendliness, particularly the use of pesticides for cut flowers and non-biodegradable floral foam in arrangements. She sourced all the materials for her presentation from the San Francisco Botanical Garden, right across from the De Young Museum, and did not visit the San Francisco Flower Market. Her co-host from the Botanical Garden provided detailed background information about the materials, enriching the experience.
I attended Day 1 of the event this year to see the freshest flowers, learning from the previous year when I visited on Day 6. Despite the smaller number of exhibitors compared to pre-pandemic times, I found the arrangements intriguing.
Exhibitors: Yoshiko Williams; Mina Lum, assistant
Complimentary Art: Urn in the form of Kinich Ahaw (Sun God) by Maya artists (1300-1500)
Yoshiko Sensei, my Sogetsu teacher, had to pivot her materials after her bleached palm leaves didn’t pass inspection. Nonetheless, her arrangement was still captivating.
Exhibitors: Renka Design Group, Rachel Johnson; Norma McDonough, Ulrich Kotak, co-exhibitors
Complimentary Art: Black and White One-Stroke Waterfall by Pat Steir (1992)
The creative use of bleached leaves in this arrangement created a stunning effect resembling a waterfall flowing from the tall vase to the shallow one.
Exhibitors: Garden Party, Amy Vassar; Melissa Tjogas, assistant
Complimentary Art: The Spine and Tooth of Santo Guerro by Al Farrow (2007), not seen in the photo
Sweet peas, with their delicate size and longevity, were an unusual yet striking choice for this floral display. Their color contrast against the gold wires and gold-painted water tubes was visually captivating.
Exhibitors: Katharina Stuart Floral Art & Design, Katharina Stuart; Aine Stuart, co-exhibitor
Complimentary Art: The Niagara River at the Cataract by Gustav Grunewald (1832)
The all-white material selection in this arrangement made the painting stand out prominently. The construction of the large circle structures showcased the designer’s skill, while the art with two canvases emphasized the enormous size of Niagara Falls.
Exhibitor: Violetta Flowers, Arlene Boyle
Complimentary Art: Mrs. Charles Apthorp (Grizzell Eastwick Apthorp) by Robert Feke (1748)
Although unsure of the Bird of Paradise’s exact type, its dynamic appearance caught my attention. The well-balanced combination of roses and pink blossom branches, along with the vase’s ability to hold all the heavy materials, was impressive.
Exhibitors: Conservatory of Flowers, Mario Vega; Janet Spellmann, Kristen Natoli, assistants
Complimentary Art: The Gold Scab: Eruption in Filthy Lucre (The Creditor) by James McNeil Whistler (1879)
This arrangement became my favorite for 2023. The floral character portrayed the sarcastic nature of the painting’s background, and the selection of plant materials and attention to detail was superb.
