“The fractured geometry of the Cubist style is the inspiration for this floral artwork, which aims to challenge consumers’ view of traditional sympathy flowers. ”
Drawing inspiration from Cubist artwork of the early 20th century, in which traditional objects were broken up and reassembled in an abstract form, this unique sympathy tribute channels Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, with its reconstructed ellipsoidal shape and irregular flower placements punctuating a more ordered arrangement of blooms.
Offering this type of creative, unconventional floral design (yet with traditional influences) is one way to revitalize interest in sympathy flowers among consumers and funeral directors alike, and it’s appropriate for all types of services from traditional funerals to modern celebrations of life. Instead of always doing the same types of sympathy tributes, get progressive, and experiment with deconstructing and altering traditional forms and shapes – along with flower arrangement styles and color combinations – to create your own unique designs, and give your customers a new perspective on sympathy flowers.
Rosa spp. ‘Freedom’ (hybrid tea roses), Dianthus barbatus ‘Green Trick’, Eryngium spp. (sea holly), Hydrangea macrophylla (hortensia), Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Solomon’s seal) and Cordyline terminalis (ti leaves) from suppliers of your choice; 21” Oasis Maché Oval Wreath, 6” Oasis Ring Holder, ½” Oasis Waterproof Tape, Oasis Greening Pins and Oasis Branch Cutter from Smithers-Oasis North America; wood picks from Premium Wood Picks & Stakes/FloraMart .
STEP 1
Cut in half an oval maché-backed floral-foam wreath form. Soak the two pieces in flower-food solution.
STEP 2
Position the two halves of the wreath form back together, this time slightly askew, with one half above the other, to create a unique narrower unaligned oval form. Secure the two halves together with wood picks and waterproof tape.
STEP 3
Attach a 6-inch floral-foam wreath form to the unaligned oval wreath form, as shown, with wood picks and waterproof tape. Using wire only, attach a second 6-inch floral-foam wreath form to the bottom of oval wreath so that it hangs an inch or two below the oval wreath (see Step 5 photo).
STEP 4
Begin arranging flowers and foliage into the unaligned oval wreath form: solomon’s-seal leaves around the interior and exterior edges of one half of the wreath form and roses in the top surface of the floral foam; tie leaves around the edges of the other half of the wreath form, secured with greening pins, and ‘Green Trick’ Dianthus in the top surface of this half of the wreath. Before finishing arranging all the flowers in the oval wreath, move on to Step 5
STEP 5
Arrange sea-holly flower heads, in concentric rings, into the top and sides of the lower hanging 6-inch wreath form.
STEP 6
Arrange tufts of hortensia florets into the tops and sides of the side-attached 6-inch wreath form. Finish arranging the remaining flowers and foliage into the oval wreath form to resemble the finished design, as shown.
