Floral Arrangement is an Art
According to Martha Stewart anyone can make a floral bouquet. In loose interpretation that is true. Anyone can take flowers and put them in a bouquet. Most will have that ‘just picked’ look. Not to take away from anyone’s talent, anyone should feel confident enough try. But there is a distinct talent to arranging flowers. One girl was known to go to a flower shop and ask if she could get a job there. When asked what her experience was she replied,” well, my grandmother has flowers in her garden and I help cut them once in awhile”. Unfortunately, the uninformed consumer might think that is all it takes. Years ago, people were taken along side other florists to learn the trade. As time went on however, there was not time to train on the job so people interested in becoming a florist had to take actual classes and courses. An average short course is six to eight weeks sometimes taught by professionals or ‘seasoned veterans’ of the business. Colleges offer courses in art and floral design because they go hand in hand. If a person does not have a natural talent for design it really does not matter how many classes they take. But not to be discouraged, even those with just a small amount of talent can be shaped into designers. It will take them much more practice and experience than others but a burning desire to design is a must.
Within the design of a floral piece are many elements.
- In each design there will be a focal point. There will be a flower or a certain object or certain bold color that will command attention.
- Each design must have balance. It should not appear to be to heavy to one side or another or be top heavy.
- There must be the right proportion of flower to the container. The scale or size of the flowers must not over power the container.
- In a design that is pleasing to the eye there will be a certain rhythm. There will be a certain flow for the eye to follow.
- In a design there needs to be a harmony where the container, foliage and flowers have something in common, shape or color or texture. For example an unharmonious design would have poinsettias in an Easter basket.
