TRADITIONAL FLOWER DESIGNS
Exhibitor and Judges School # 1
Taught By Accredited OAGC Judge, Mary Lee Minor
Click photo to enlarge
There is a wealth of material
available for the serious student of flower arranging. The many excellent
textbooks that are available contain more than we could include in this
chapter. The purpose of this section of flower arranging is to give the
exhibitor a concise reference for standard flower show practices and
terminology, together with practical information on exhibiting. We are
providing information for both the exhibitor and the judge. The bibliography
at the end of this section contains a list of books on all phases of flower
arranging.
Traditional designs are the product not just of individual taste, but also of
influences accumulated over generations. American flower arranging has evolved
by borrowing, compiling and building on Japanese and European arranging,
frequently called Oriental and Occidental. Originality, individuality and
innovation have always been admired in America.
What is a “flower design”? How does it differ from a bowl full of flowers? It
is an organized planned composition, while a bouquet is not. The
flowers in each may be the same, but the difference lies in the way they are
placed in relation to each other. Our objective in the art of floral design
is to create with expertise and artistry a thing of beauty and to do this we
must have a unified whole. When the principles of design have been combined
with the art components or elements, we may reach the art objectives which are
beauty, expressiveness and suitability
ART OBJECTIVES
Beauty is evident if the finished composition has aesthetic value. All of the
components have come together in a way that expresses unity.
Each part (or element) in the design, whatever the materials used - flowers,
foliage, container, base, accessories - no matter how few or how many - blend
together in harmony and fulfill a plan.
To consider expressiveness, we look for an emotional response or some effort
of the designer to communicate, either literally or figuratively. A particular
line or color or plant material may evoke an emotional response or feeling.
This is an interpretation. Don’t try to be too literal in your interpretation.
No scenes. Some schedules allow one to leave a brief note describing the
interpretation.
Suitability is having the quality of being properly tuned to the needs of the
individual for whom it is made or for the particular occasion.
If it is made for a flower show, it must meet the requirements of the class.
If it doesn’t conform, it would normally not win blue, even if it is the only
entry.
Following are some of the examples
of the Artistic Traditional Designs by Mary Lee Minor
Page 1 Photos Traditional Design:
