Floristry, Fine Art, and Everything In Between

Today

I’m writing this from Varkala, India - my annual winter escape and creative reset. Well, it’s fast becoming that - fingers crossed I’ll be able to continue with this tradition. I’m excited about what this year has in store, so I thought I might share a little of what’s coming up with you.

This February, I’m starting an MA in Creative Practice. It feels very real to write that down. For years, I’ve dabbled in painting alongside my floristry work, but I’ve never given that part of myself the formal space and dedication it deserves.

I have to credit Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way with helping me get here. Last year, I worked through the course and it genuinely unblocked something in me - gave me the confidence to apply for the MA in the first place, to start believing in myself and my capabilities, and to share my work more openly. I’ve kept up the morning pages ever since (well, nearly every day!), and I can’t recommend the book highly enough if you have a creative streak in your bones that you’re trying to unleash.So I thought I could talk you through the pros and cons of each to help you decide what's right for your big day.

Spring flowers from the Cherfold cutting garden

What’s Coming

The MA kicks off with a residential programme in Sweden in the first week of February. I’ll be exploring my practice more deeply, pushing my botanical work in new directions, and connecting with other artists on similar journeys. I’ll be going from temperatures of over 30 degrees to sub zero - let’s hope that I pack with the right destination in minid!

Behind the scenes, I’ve been working on a collection of fine art botanical prints, which I hope to launch in the coming weeks. A small selection of these prints will be part of Efflorescence, an exhibition at The Sussex Contemporary in Newhaven. These pieces draw on my extensive botanical photography collection - years of working closely with seasonal British blooms, captured in ways that celebrate texture, form, and natural beauty.

I’ve also put myself forward as an artist for the Artists Open Houses month in May in Brighton, and I’m hoping that somebody might invite me to exhibit with them. Keep your fingers crossed for me! If all goes well with the Artists Open Houses in May, it would be my absolute dream to one day hold my own exhibition of my own paintings and prints, imagine that!

Later in the year, I’ll hopefully be starting work on a Patreon service offering botanical drawing practice sessions. I love the idea of creating a space where people can develop their observational drawing skills and connection with the natural world. More details on that to come.

And Yes, Still Flowers - Always

It’s not about choosing one direction or the other for me, it’s all about personal growth and professional expansion!

Following Along

This year is going to be full on - in the best possible way. If you’d like to follow the journey, see new work as it develops, and maybe even come see my work at the Artists Open Houses in May, do sign up to my newsletter on the website. You’ll be the first to hear all the news - after me :)

Here’s to growth, creativity, and saying yes to what excites us.

Caroline x

P.S. Oh, I also forgot to mention that I’m moving house this spring as well - anyone got any spare boxes?!