The natural world is the cornerstone of my design philosophy. I am searching for ways to work alongside nature in my art form and to design in step with the seasons. I owe this unshakable devotion to my post-college years spent on a flower farm. But before I ever knew the process of planting, seeding, pinching, cutting, arranging - younger Maddie was always in tune with the Great Outdoors and what it had to offer. Summertime cicadas, wild blackberries, the delicate retrieval of honeysuckle, earthworms, the smell of magnolias. Seasonality offers us a guide in understanding time. And memories.
And perhaps how an artist can interpret floral elements.
My twenties have been spent wrestling with my craft. I have observed florists in many forms and am luckier for it. Freelance and full time work in retail shops, private studios, flower farms. The hustle of a wedding morning and the quiet nights spent wrapping bridesmaids bouquets. All of it an invaluable lesson to an artist.
My baptism by fire observing experts and rookies like myself has sent me searching for answers in how I approach the work table, this brand, the people that work alongside me, and ultimately the inner workings of my own creative world. I read recently that while we may not all be “artists,” each one of us makes a thousand creative choices a day. We are all creative in a sense. My hope is that some of these thoughts might be inspirational to someone, not just those of us in flowers.
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My voice as an artist has been uncovered in a lifestyle of slowness, simplicity, and space. I am picky with what I allow in. Media, people, flower varieties.
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There is a rhythm to each season. Best to follow the natural order of time and weather. Seasonality is my compass. I let the flowers talk. I can trace time by blooming seasons.
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Inspiration over Imitation. Today’s world rewards the chasing of trends. A trend is helpful in creative guidance and worthy of noting. True art is unveiled, to me, through lived experience, interaction with surroundings, and research. I loved a quote from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act, “Instead of sounding like others, value your own voice. Develop it. Cherish it.”
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I am an artist first and a business person second. Unpopular probably, but it’s the only way I find fulfillment in what I do. A true sense of joy. Money (in a way) is necessary and notoriety (in theory) is nice, but those have never held much weight to me.
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So many people in history have carried the torch in championing nature, conservation, caring for pollinators, nomenclature of species, etc! How can I/this brand steward creation well? Best to zoom out sometimes and remember I am a small piece in a big world, yet the principles and convictions each of us offer makes life brilliant! All of it is a beautiful balance.
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A lit candle. Silence (maybe a record here and there). A thoughtfully chosen vessel. Seasonal Blooms. Patience. Openness. This has become my recipe for the table. There are lessons here that transcend into other areas of my life. It’s important to create an environment for thriving.
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Devotion to a craft is important in our world today. In an effort to keep this positive, in short - not everyone is an expert. Pay attention to the people who are passionate about what they do and have some skin in the game. The chefs pouring out their savings to open a restaurant, the fashion visionaries with sketchbooks full of designs and a commitment to using real and lasting fabrics, the local farmers spending nights harvesting with headlamps on, the vineyards devoted to the caretaking of land, the hotel managers hand writing letters to guests celebrating milestones. I have become attracted to these types of people and the layer of richness it gives my own life. What a gift it is to approach a journey with passion and care for the details.
I hope one day I’ll consider myself a master of my craft, but I have a hunch I’ll always feel like a student. The world is so big and full of such variety - how could I possibly learn it all? That’s what I love about flowers.
This studio is rooted in the study of flowers and the earth. I use branches, berries, thorns, sticks, grasses, and vegetables. And of course flowers. I source local as much as possible. (And I tend to prefer the wilder elements to a traditional rose. Albeit, I have outlined “Roses” as my topic of learning for 2026.)
