It is one big candlestick. It sits in front of my fireplace.Quote:
Originally Posted by catherine
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It is one big candlestick. It sits in front of my fireplace.Quote:
Originally Posted by catherine
That is really lovely IL!
Unique and lovely. Now you have me curious. You have used a number of greens. flowers and supports. Could you advise me and increase my understanding please? Does that show define what materials, height, width etc., must be included or cannot be exceeded. Our local hort society and fall fair do set some parameters due to space available so not sure what the difference would be in larger societies.
I did attend the Philadelphia Flower Show and saw huge arrangements and very tiny ones but I did not see the entry specs. that competitors must meet.
Yes, the show sets space limitations. In a typical flower show the organizers try to vary staging of each class, otherwise it is rather boring. As example it would be visually dull to have all designs lined up on tables along a wall. So those planning a show use the club’s equipment such as small tables, high pedestals, etc.
Each show has a “show schedule” that sets out rules and limitations. The space available for each design is always listed in the schedule. Often there are limits in height stated in the schedule. If there are backgrounds provided by the club, the dimensions of those backgrounds are listed.
In NGC shows, a design class has 4 entries, no less, usually no more. So advance registration is required so that organizers can make sure each class is filled. There have been plent of times where I run around making a last minute design to fill a class.
As for materials, in a plant society show like a Daffodil show, daffodils must be the dominant flower in designs. In generic National Garden Club shows sometimes “dried flowers” classes exist, but fresh flowers always dominate in a show. NGC shows do not restrict the type of floral material that may be used, but length of show sometimes dictates that. For a 3-4 day show tropical plant materials are good because they last so long.
Artificial plant material of any kind is forbidden.
Thank you for that information, IL.
One sort of related note is that so many people have commented to me that there are no volunteers anymore. As I have looked around, I am seeing so many people volunteering but not in the longer established groups. Youth groups are so organized now requiring so many volunteers who put in amazing hours, also professional associations have expanded in number requiring volunteers and so on.
I am sure that the NGC shows over the years have needed many volunteers such as yourself, filling in a class as well as arranging space, schedules, judges and all the organization that each show involves. It is a major involvement at times. Are the volunteers still there for such flower shows as I do enjoy seeing them and appreciating all the efforts expended.
I used to be a member of Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens and attending the various flower shows when possible but no longer do so as I visit the local Whistling Gardens https://www.whistlinggardens.ca which I have watched develop from a dream to a really beautiful place to visit regularly.
I am in Boston attending North American Lily Society convention and lily show. I won Best in Design.
Attachment 2864
Congrats! Very nice!Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Congratulations! It flows from open to closed bud and out. Lovely movement. What is the blue thing that props the display?
Congratulations!
That was my question, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by razz
Nicely done, IL!
Beautiful, IL!! Congratulations! Have a wonderful time in Boston!
Quote:
Originally Posted by razz
The container is palm pod painted blue, spray paint. The other bluething is spiraled midellino, also painted blue. spray
paint is my friend. I won a blue ribbon with the same container and spiral thing when they Were orange.
I love the color combinations, great job
I am reviving this thread to post my first serious floral design for the season. Flower show activities are starting up again.
This is an example of what garden club ladies do, the ones who do floral design. We find stuff to adapt into a floral design for the classes that are contemporary floral design. This one is a “Transparancy” design where elements are viewed through other elements.
This one started out as a metal wall hanging from Hobby Lobby. DH welded feet on it. I hung old bed sprigs on it. I made spiral midellino thingies and hung them on it. Painted the whole thing red, added palm leaves and hydrangeas.
One of my coherts said “Lady, you have too much time on your hands.” Haha, yep.
So here is the frugal thing: I assembled all of this from my basement and yard. I didn’t have to spend a dime. This is an illustration of my basement being at Critical Mass of floral design stuff. I did have to paint the spiral thingies red, but I had red paint in my basement stash.
Attachment 3827
Interesting to see. I confess to being puzzled by its ultimate purpose which I didn't realize until now was important to me. Funny how we limit ourselves.
It is touching on the complementary colour wheel, diverse angles and shapes interest. When you are judging another's work, what are you looking for, - surprise, fresh view of an old object embellished with living plant material, feeling or mood projected or does the competition category define these displays.
I read an article recently that advised that one should generally follow the rules of the art medium but deliberately break one of the rule of art for freshness.
The flower show sets a “theme” for the transparency class, but that is only assigned 8 points on a scale of 100.Quote:
Originally Posted by razz
Basic artistic concepts of Balance, Dominance, Contrast, rhythm, proportion and scale are evaluated in each design. Also, execution of the design( are flowers fresh? Are materials clean? Is the staging panel correct in height?) is judged.
The ultimate purpose is to be a piece of temporary art. I love the short term nature of these floral designs. They come and they go. I’m not stuck with having to keep a thing forever and ever. They are created for a brief moment and then they disappear. I love that!
I love your color combination--complementary colors are a favorite of mine.
Nice balance, also.
Thanks for the explanation, IL. That helped me better understand. Looking forward to your sharing more of these creations.
That is AMAZING, Iris!! I love it! What are the dimensions of this? It looks immense. I admire your vision and execution. And your use of castoff materials.
It is 36” high, about 12” wide.Quote:
Originally Posted by KayLR
Most flower shows limit height of designs to 30” or 36” or 42”.
It is important to fill the space you are assigned in the class which is one of the challenges.
I like it very much. Very cool!
Another question answered.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
When I was at the Philadelphia Garden Show a few years ago, I was amazed at the size of the competitive entries and wondered how the size was determined and desired features decided.
I see PHS which is on now, June 5-13, has gone outside this year which should be especially interesting to see.
That is soooo cool!!!! And that it is made of repurposed stuff - very neat!!! I love it!
OMG. I want one. One of my favorite color combinations, and so harmonious yet whimsical.
If that's what you're doing with your extra time, it's time well spent!
Very cool!
Wow! I love it.
I show this only to illustrate how great some pieces work in competitive floral design.
Recognize this metal sculpture? I painted it blue for the class “Monet’s flower Garden” where it represents the swirling pools of water and round forms in Monet’s water lily series.
Now this image is part of a virtual flower show held by the North American Lily Society.
And now, I will have to retire it for a while because I used it in the last real flower show before Covid shut down, I used it as a demo at flower show school, and now this. Too many judges have seen this sculpture and they will recognize it as my work.
Attachment 3859
Well done! Movement and good color placement, IMO.
That is unique. May I ask how you keep the flowers fresh for a show? Lillies in particular are thirsty beings and wilt fairly quickly.
These have tubes of water at the back.Quote:
Originally Posted by razz
But I skipped on that since all I had to do is take a photograph and then it was over. For a real show I probably would not use so many hydrangeas because they are tricky to keep hydrated. Lilies are good in that once they are hydrator they will stay there for 24+ hours no problem with 0 water source.
Very nice!
Thanks IL for the description of how you prepare for the shows. Nice to know that your work would be recognized as yours...you have a reputation.
I won Best in Show for design in The North American Lily Society Virtual show. Awards were announced today. There were 27 designs made by 18 designers across North America.
Top awards
http://nals2021.lilies.org/NALS_2021...ds_website.pdf
Nothing remarkable happened with my two Horticulture stems. One of them got a third place. The first and second place stems in that class were astounding.
all design awards
http://nals2021.lilies.org/NALS_2021_Lily_Show_Design_Class_Awards_slides.pdf
some nice garden Lily stems. I was on the judging team for collections and container-grown lilies.
http://nals2021.lilies.org/NALS_2021...on_D_E_F_G.pdf
I also won best in division award for a local virtual show and there was no best overall show design, so I’m happy with that.
I have to fess up. I have no artistic ability whatsoever other than when I try I can write well. There used to be a stereotype and still is to some extent that gay men tend to be artistic and creative and I'm afraid I slept in late the day such was given to gay men. Though I will say one thing - one of the few splurges I've made since landing a stable job for once - I renewed my membership at the Phoenix Art Museum.
I do enjoy an afternoon starting at the museum restaurant and then moving on to the exhibits. But I have no such talent myself. Someone's got to appreciate the talents of others though, no? Rob
Congrats, IL! That's really cool. RobQuote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Theory: Little girls are taught that it's ok to be emotional and express their feelings. Indeed little girls are taught that they absolutely should be emotional and express their feelings because being feminine (aka girlish) makes them more attractive to boys. But little boys are taught that big boys don't cry and real men are strong and brave. Indeed, little boys are strongly taught that even if something hurts they have to be brave strong little men -- Stiff upper lip! Soldier on regardless! No one respects a crybaby... Perhaps the stereotype of homosexual men being more creative is simply the result of them traditionally being outside of the mainstream and therefore feeling like they have more freedom to defy the male/female stereotypes by expressing their emotions and creativity openly?Quote:
Originally Posted by gimmethesimplelife
Just a theory, based on various LGBTQI+ friends I've had.
What's you opinion Rob?
ETA: I hope and believe the stereotypes I described of how boys and girls should behave are no longer being as widely or rigidly taught to little boys and little girls as they were 65 years ago when I was a little boy, but they are probably still far too widespread and constantly reinforced by schoolyard teasing.
ETA2: Ironically the trilogy I'm currently reading, "Way of the Warrior Kid", perpetuates and encourages the brave strong little boy stereotype I just criticized, and yet when I post a review of it, I will strongly endorse it as a good book for both boys and girls to read. (Sigh....Real life is complicated!)
Wow!!! Congrats!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Congratulations, IL! Beautiful work!
Bae, someone from Orcas islands attended our virtual award ceremony, and since there was only about 50 people attending the Zoom meetup, that is a small world coincidence. I know 70% of the regulars at our convention but do not know her. Don’t remember her name.Quote:
Originally Posted by bae
Congratulations, IL! Well deserved!Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies