Virtual Art in Bloom

Of the renowned civil rights activist and writer Angela Davis by Wadwsorth Jarrell: “her voice becomes a radiating burst of words and color.” We sought to reflect that description in our choice of colors and design components. 


Koehler &  Dramm Institute of Floristry (Susan Schultze)

Rich, scroll-stopping red.
Tendrils pulsating warm-cool.
Negative space, ringed.

Amber Tritabaugh, Petals to Pines Floral

My brother reminded me of the Christ, having golden curls as a child. He photographed my arrangement. My encouraging sister said, during a past AIB, “Oh, I love to paint with flowers.” My father calls me afterwards to congratulate me.

T. Franklin

Hollow grape logs create an illusion of something massive and heavy, the wood showing the knots, and twists inspired the rock formation. The base level begins with dark reds and rises to a bright yellow at the summit.


Diane Enge

This arrangement reflects the native flowers of Tahiti's colorful and lush tropic landscape. Feel the heavy, warm breeze brush across your face.

Jerry Voci

A holy chant to heal our whole planet. Earth sings her own songs of lament and rejoicing—by listening we can help save her. In gratitude for my three favorite musicians: Aunt Dolores, OSB, and my two sons.

Therese Blaine, RockPaperFlower

I see the elegant textures of different flowers as if they were in garden beds blooming harmoniously. Conforming curvaceous and the free-formed structures of flowers into cubism and square patterns of order.

Gail Mengelkoch , Petals to Pines Floral at 101 Market

I was drawn to Saul’s Policeman on W.C. for the bold colors and the contrast between the bright design and cynical content. I set out to create an equally garish arrangement, and nearly succeeded, but the hydrangea is just too pretty!

Rachael  Finglovsky 

The richness of the reds and dusky oranges drew me to this piece and the slip of a veil. The pearls are referenced by the white hypericum, and the orange tarwe references her auburn hair. This arrangement is all about color.

Alice Gebura

I chose Indian Roller on Sandalwood Branch because I am drawn to nature and to birds particularly. I love this piece for the calming colors and because it evokes the feeling of spring and the hope that it brings every season.

Rebecca Wilson, Heidi Ott

I was inspired by the title of this piece and how to represent love and friendship with flowers in a unique arrangement. I hope your eye travels though and makes you feel the love.

Dennis Kelner

I was attracted to this piece by the contrasting colors and texture. I recreated this with fused glass on the vessel, and continued the drama vertically with the fresh flowers.

Mary Ann Morgan, Mary Ann Morgan Studio

Stone balanced with a feathered touch.
Inviting change.
Winter to Spring.
Water to Life.
Open

Patrick Stahl, Ikebana International Ichiyo & MN Zen Center

Spring sun, spring shadow render the quarry yielding stone and flesh hewn by hands and other forces. Ganymede, subject to thunder, his own beauty, the eagle's grasp wrested to serve sky-high gods their honey food in their forever home.

Stefanie Levi, Atzin Dávila Luinenburg & Izel Dávila Luinenburg 

Sekoh. My work with katsi'tsí:io (flowers) and salal in Mni Sota Makoce reminds me of ake'nisténha (mother) and my four kheio'okón (children)—like little birds, they grew strong and left the nest.

Audrey Busch

The importance of Hokusai and his art in my native country of Japan is very strong. In this arrangement I wanted re-create the dramatic colors and movement of the curling foam of the waves shown in this classic and iconic Japanese piece.

Mayumi Redin, Bachman's

What vision it took to make this box! Celebrating our eyes with flowers: Esther’s, loyal and steadfast; 1662 embroiderer’s, dedicated and heartfelt; our eyes today as we, with needles, hooks or looms, turn fiber into fabric.

Christine Gepp

Sago palm stands tall like Fukami's tall celadon sculpture, created to look machine-made. Lavender alstroemeria unites with dark stones and manmade metal vase to add nature to represent the contemporary sculpture.

Sue Bagge, Sean Bagge

Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance. I used the exotic proteas as his body. The curly willow, hypericum (berries), eryngium (purple-green spike flowers) and peace lily leaves represent his grace and skill keeping creation and destruction in balance.

Becky Haaf

Who is this woman? Her dress dominates, but there is more to the story. A lace-trimmed glass vase represents her lustrous dress and her inner fragility, perhaps. Blue satin hydrangea, porcelain roses. Her loyal dog carries her pearls.



Mab Nulty, Ceallaigh Smart, Sarah Santosa, Tami Vance

Top of head is like buds on a snapdragon. Orange carnations for the body and orange-white Fuji chrysanthemums for breasts, Orange Crush rose tilted in full bloom for her face. Snapdragons highlight top of her head, ear, nose, and chin.

Myra Rusten, Flowers by Myra

White dendrobium orchids represent feathers that the owl has released from the pillows. I immediately thought to use the square box container my late father made years ago, as it is an ideal vessel to evoke a generic motel bed.

Shelley Schmokel

To design my collage I chose leaves and flowers with a wide variety of textures and shades of green to depict the lines, the density, and the subtle coloration of Morrison’s driftwood collage.

Barbara Kramer

I chose Krishna and Radha because it is art that is beautiful, simple, teaches, and records history. As the two reconcile in the courtyard, a circle of energy encloses them and the brilliant colors of their robes vibrate.

Ruth Thompson-Klabunde

Flower stems with thick, coarse elements were used as a nod to the unparalleled brushwork and with the goal of creating an autumnal whole. The arrangement was built around gnarled wood and mimics the undulating landscape, shadows, and radiating light.

Amy  Chapman, Amy Able Gardens LLC

After a year with little chance for escape, this artwork, and its ability to convey untethered flight, seemed like a natural choice.

Karla  Newman

Grant Wood (American Gothic) used earthy tones to paint Herbert Hoover’s home. Since this has been a dreary winter, I decided to use brighter colored flowers.

Debbie Kammerer, Diane Kammerer

I have always loved this painting and consider it an honor to interpret it with flowers. It was a challenge to capture this painting’s colors and depth, and I finally just focused on the haystack.

Karen Ortiz

Here are two flying dragons. I loved the movement in these pieces, which is why I chose them.


Patrina  Kangas

We visualized the movement of this headress in the wind, emulating the feathers with a vibrant ombre of cascading tulips, daffodils, and grasses to honor and celebrate the victory in battle and bravery of the warrior.


Marsha Hunt, Bridget Connell and Sonia Prickett, Haute House Studio

I chose this artwork because I felt the movement of the shape would translate well to a floral design. I also enjoyed that it was monochromatic, allowing me to focus mainly on following the beautiful spiral pattern.

Riley Ruby, Bachman's

I selected the suzuribako for its floral motifs and stark colors. Two containers reflect the spilt design of the box. The smaller container represents the trees of the black section. The larger imitates a garden nestled under those trees.

Katherine Baker

My life is so much about color. This bouquet is a celebration of the color I needed to work with after this past year. I hope I did justice to the tapestry by Paul Jenkins.


Jolene Rydeen, Jo Rydeen Design

Exploring the symbolism of a painting dealing with the Stuart dynasty: It’s a challenge to keep Scotland and England peacefully united with war and heartbreak always overhead and underfoot. Challenge: can I say this in flowers?

Jen Pacyga, Bachman’s 

I worked with Brynne Macosko Paguyo (studiobrynne.com) who made this illuminated vessel, much as Cara Romero and Kaa Folwell collaborated to depict Kaa as Clay Woman. 

Lisa Berg, Brynne Macosko Paguyo

The tall vase with upward spiral pattern represents the wandering lifestyle of Gao Guojiu and Lan Gaihe, of the eight immortal Daoists. White anthurium robed in white orchids represent Gao, and pink orchids represent Lan, a patron of florists.

Sue Bagge, Chad Bagge

Inspired by this lovely pine with the gnarled roots overlooking the lively little waterfall and flowing stream, I created a 'Three Friends of Winter' arrangement—pine, bamboo, and plum—symbolizing long life and prosperity.

Carol Lui, Namrata Damle, Ikebana International Ichiyo and Ohara School

Is the wolf friend or foe? Is the forest path for protection or control? Little Red Cap is savvier than the story has led us to believe. She is clever, brave, and capable of handling whatever lies in the forest.

Barbarajo  Kuzelka, Kate Sobraske , Barbie's Bloomers Florals

Pause before this dilapidated 18th-century building. Imagine stories hinted at by its signage. Revel in local coastal produce, wild azaleas, iris, and fragrant jasmine. Wooden porch replica: Pat Foss. Ceramic pot: Foss Pottery student Larry Naylor.

Barbara Foss, Ikebana International Ichiyo School

Right now, Veiled Lady, my favorite sculpture at Mia, reminds me of the masks and sterilized coverings that have hidden us all during this pandemic year. The flowers and light of my floral artwork represent the hope and renewal of spring.

Barbara Belknap, Barbara Belknap Art & Design

I was inspired by the color interaction and shape within the original artwork. I wanted to create a floral work full of texture and color in order to offer the viewer of this two-dimensional painting a three-dimensional experience.

Lauren  Inserra, Bachman's

Fabric and textile designs are especially interesting to me, and vary in every part of the world. I used boxwood to create the feeling of the movement, small carnations to add color, and bright yarrow as the focal point of color.

Beverly Munson, Richfield Garden Club

Light, movement, and darkness portrayed. Framed and defined—the figure in space and the figure as space.

Sara Rothholz Weiner, Artis Curiskis

I chose this artwork because it depicts a moment in time of the life of Jesus. It is a beautiful piece of art that allowed me to use a variety of colors.

Tammy Marquardt, Bachman's

I started down a path towards Half Dome on a warm fall day. The stream of water lazily drifted past the grasses of the sunny meadow. Time arrived to go, head back—wish I could have continued.

Cindy Snowberg, Bachman's 

This seated bodhisattva may be defined as a person who may enter nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion to save suffering beings. In a similar fashion our beautiful peonies bring us joy and comfort each time they bloom.

Denese Erickson, Minnesota Peony Society

Aztec goddess Chalchiutlicue is the provider of life-giving water and seeds. Yellow represents Mexico with its sun, sunflowers, and maize. What could better than a Warren MacKenzie pot to contain a lush offering of flowers for the goddess?

Maria Eggemeyer

Blue speaks to my heart. Blue signifies the spiritual healing power of God. I knew this artwork was for me after showing my husband. He replied, “Don’t we have that in the cupboard?“

Deborah Follese, Bachman's

Paula Allan, Abbi Allan

Every afternoon I retreat here, with a pot of tea.
There’s an extra cup if you want to visit. 
Time with a cherished friend, or perhaps a cherished book. 
If only I lived in this room. 


Terri Ristow

This artwork was created during the Art Deco era, which inspired me to locate a vase from that period. The simplicity of the piece called for a simple arrangement of white flowers, the orchid of course representing that crazy lobster.

Cheri  Paulson, Bachman's

This arrangement is dedicated to the Chinese Heritage Foundation. I read about the artist's childhood living with his parents in internal exile in China. His words about his father's integrity moved me. This design features hellebores from my garden.

Mary Yee, Chinese Heritage Foundation

This fascinating artwork reminded me of my brother, an ardent conservationist, and my mother, a former MIA docent who taught me to appreciate all art. I hand-applied the foraged bark to the vase to capture the rustic natural element.

Juliann Geis Thavis

The year 2020 left me with a desperate desire for spring. The profusion and intensity of color in this carpet jumped out as a celebration of floral beauty. I wish it could have been as large as the original carpet.

Kristen McWilliams, Phillip  McWilliams

Grouped ikebana recall the Japanese aesthetic and verticality of the artwork. Our sustainable floristry uses no foam, only reusable (dried) elements and local, seasonal flowers. A clean white background gives a truly modern reinterpretation.

Eric Lee

The boy’s nonchalant lean across his desk echoes in the diagonal line of blue delphiniums and hydrangea, set against the warm tones of ranunculus and gerbera. Little chamomile flowers bounce, their sturdy fragility like those of children.

Elizabeth Franklin, Celeste, Charles and Mara Schumacher, Edina Garden Council; Kelodale Garden Club

Honoring my family’s love for traditions, I chose Coffee Pot, from the Martelé Coffee and Tea Service. Arranged in grandmother Honey’s coffee pot, this bright bouquet represents our joy for celebrating holidays and entertaining family and friends.

Stefani Tygar Barnes

The refinement and simplicity of Matisse's artwork inspired my arrangement, which represents the textures, colors, and mood of his painting. Held in a 1920s Chinese container, the arrangement conveys the Asian influence on early 20th-century French sensibility and art. 

Brenda Sussna, Ikebana International Chapter 121

The structural and monochromatic elements of Daiitoku Myoo brought to mind a foliage-dominant piece. The elegant violence of this statue is mirrored in the cutting, bending, and threading of the composition’s greenery.

Dawn Renner, CJ Renner

The artwork lends itself to simplicity in design and an open, natural feeling. I started the design with the container, which is earthy, and used rose canes from my garden.

Rita Gindt-Marvig

In this artwork, painted during the Spanish Civil War, Joan Miro used a bold color palette which I tried to replicate while attempting to create a similar tone of awkwardness and discomfort for the viewer.  

Jodie Rodne

I chose an Asian vase and used flowers from all over the world. Each flower plays an important part to create a beautiful whole. I pray for peace in our world and support for our Asian community. 



Leah Hedman

I am a gardener and pollinators are important to me and my gardens and the world. It is springtime! The gardens and pollinators are waking up, so what an apt time to represent this artwork, Pollination.

Janice  Swanson , Hennepin Technical College 

I am always drawn to color and whimsy. Frank Stella’s painting has both. I still have my protractor used for geometry years ago. Such a handy tool. It was fun finding plant material to represent this MIA treasure.


Nancy  Rand

The artist’s 1958 burst of watercolors on paper is our inspiration for bright, colorful flowers displayed in a retro 1950s cream-colored vase—the perfect palette for showy, beautiful blooms. Two blue tissue-paper flowers add a bit of whimsy.

Jody Dueber, Jane Slade

I wasn’t going to put in my work this year because I was strapped for time. My sister's mother passed away recently, and she was truly a big supporter of all things I do creatively. This is for her.

Amber  Griffin, Fineartpho

I wanted to create a floral interpretation that somehow captures the intricacy and aesthetic of this Miao piece by using floral material that matches the colors and pattern of the skirt.

Cristina Covalschi

Bright red roses reflects the red tower, and the bird of paradise represents a figure. This painting was chosen because of the various shapes and colors. This is my fourth AIB. I’m looking forward to an in-person show next year.

Micky Paine

City Night brings attention to the space between: time, architecture, history. This inspired us to highlight the sky and the moon, constants in the midst of chaos, through unique clay sculpture and simple florals. We are a mother-daughter duo!

Heidi Rieck, Wendy Omland

The color palette sparked my interest. I designed a simple European-style arrangement. The Hades ranunculus gives the perfect tone of the minimal tan stripe of paint while the helleborus provides the blush outer frame of the painting.

Marah Nightingale, Bachman's

We discovered the multilayering depth the artist depicts after our selection. The story maps hidden behind the cacophony moved us to realize art can parallel with current affairs. Peaceful yet chaotic acceptence. Every flower is important.

Julia Hazlett, Anne Luther

I chose a painting by the legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. At age 92, she is still a human dynamo of creative energy and artistic achievement. Photo by Tony Small.

Julie Holland

I was inspired by the elegant balance of intricately carved jadite and rosewood. Above and below the water, calla lilies and pussy willow branches create a dynamic boat shape, while orchids and variegated leaves represent birds and waves.

Noni Threinen

I chose Heavy Seas at Sunset, since I love sunsets! I tried to capture the motion of the waves and the colors of the sunset depicted in this painting. In keeping with the theme, I used an old seashell as a container.

Nancy Hayer

Madeline visited Japan and studies Japanese. We were drawn to the artwork’s elegant, simple beauty and vibrant, limited colors. Common flowers reflect the artist's wholesome view of beauty.


Christy Campbell, Madeline Campbell

The movement of the river as it flows through the landscape is echoed by the container. The foliage and flowers complement the colors in the painting. Wood reflects the motion of the river.

Phyllis  Andrews, Kathryn Malody, North Star Lily Society

Through the mirror symmetry created by our two arrangements, we tried to evoke the concept of the Egyptian false door. We used colors reflective of the period's artwork, with a special emphasis on the color blue, to represent the Nile river.

Andi Schwartz, Lucy Schwartz

I was drawn to the uniqueness of how the artist interpreted Ivan Albright, much like how we interpret art through flowers. The materials he used inspired me to create a piece of art to reflect the flowers through mirrored images. 


Michelle Aldentaler

I loved the energy and depth in this painting, which felt to me like a woodland scene in the spring. I incorporated an oak leaf as a nod to this, and played up the orange to mimic the frenetic energy.

Amy Mattson

Chicago: a favorite city—Lou Malnati's Pizza, Garrett's popcorn, the Sear's Tower. Early elevators were commonly referred to as “bird cages" because riding up and down in the elevator’s grilled walls provided the opportunity to see all the workings and cables.

Richard Raiche

The appeal of Wm. Kentridge's identity, a cryptic vision imagery, is a revelation of his brilliant knowledge through a broad range of artistic media. This has made him a dynamic contemporary artist.

Trudy Hochradel

I was immediately drawn to Sanford Biggers’s use of antique quilt scraps to create a completely new geometric patterned sculpture. My arrangement reflects his use of vivid colors using flowers instead of fabric.

Mary Ellen Elliott, Sunflower Chapter of the Richfield Garden Club Council

I chose this painting because I like the contrast of the light and dark. Designing an arrangement to complement this artwork allowed me to use some of my favorite flowers, such as black calla lilies and white garden roses.

Jenny Hindbjorgen, Bachman's

The North Star Lily Society sponsors this design of rhythmic lilies. The position of ceramic containers plays with light and shadow similar to Duckworth’s untitled mural. Both lilies and ceramics share qualities of “fragility and strength."

Kathryn Malody, James Malody, North Star Lily Society

I have always loved Frank Lloyd Wright’s design. This table setting, especially the chairs, accentuate vertical movement. I chose to emphasize that.

Paul Sternberg, Bachman's

Paul Revere, a legendary patriot, was an accomplished silversmith as seen in Mia’s tea service. His work and life inspired the spring tulip arrangement in red and white with blue ribbons, contained in a Revere bowl that honors him.

Nadine Ronning, Kirsten Ingerson

Food and Community enticed me to Gui ("gooey” as in cheese or chocolate!). Immersion brought wondrous dreams of dragons, alchemy, and wisdom. Patience and willingness to let go of my busy life arose, and Dragon “rapt” me in a treasure trove.

Pamela Marie, Designing Visions

Controlled, ordered, and complex. Union of the real and unreal. Simplified and stylized, sophisticated. These are all characteristics of Roger Brown's work. Enjoy!

Monica Buller Cabral

The bright impressionistic colors and the Country French feel of the artist’s home "Ma Roulette" were my inspiration. I tried to unify the indoor and outdoor spaces by using related hues as Bonnard did.

Mary Kay Herman, Self MK Herman Designs

Through Birds, Through Fire, but Not Through Glass pushes us to explore the point at which the familiar becomes unknown. I watched flowers, before and behind a paper screen, wither and transform. When is a flower no longer a flower?

Jill Johnson

I love Mary Cassatt's tender themes of mother and child. This print's rich, earthy blues and greens and strong triangle composition inspired my floral design. I used color, texture, and pattern to complement her artistic vision.

Lauri  Hanson 

Our arrangement showcases the opulence of the aristocracy. The combination of baby's-breath and roses highlights the intricacy and rich texture of the dress.The finishing touch was a hand-painted vase to resemble the sumptuous hand-carved frame.

Radhika Damle, Namrata Damle

The bridge and the spring-to-summer feel of the screen inspired me. It brings back memories of Kyoto. A spring-like feel is conveyed by the curly willow and spider mums. Baby's breath evokes mist and sansevieria serves as the bridge.

Donald Marier

This year my daughter Meryl Spencer collaborated with me by creating pottery for the arrangement. We liked the woodblock print because it evokes the Arts and Craft movement. The artwork also reminded us of family hikes in the Apostle Islands.

Lynn Indihar

As a child, Joan dreamed up enticingly exotic fantasy worlds radically different from her bleak, yet materially-comfortable childhood. Ever feisty, her art was a means of self-revelation, full of rich colors, patterns, spirited energy, and symbolism.


Susan Hopp, Karl Schweikart, A Pretty posy .co

I like the clean lines of the radio, and the radio cleverly hides the speakers. It is more a work of art than the standard radio of that era.

Kathleen “Kat” Hanson

We loved the bold trees against the green grass and blue-gray sky in Cezanne's Chestnut Trees. We paired sticks from our yard with greens and blues from our local florist. First time submission to AIB by our 8-year-old!

Stella Owen, Katie Pratt

Vote for this artwork


One of the most beloved elements of Art in Bloom is the art-inspired floral arrangements created by volunteer pedestal floral artists. Explore nearly 100 floral arrangements here and click on each image to find out which artwork it was inspired by. You can search by pedestal floral artist name, flower name or name of artwork in the search bar above. And don't forget to vote for your favorites by clicking the heart icon on each floral image. 



psychedelic-style portrait of African American political activist Angela Davis; colorful image of figure in profile, yelling into microphone; image is formed by words in yellow, red, magenta, purple, orange, and blue

Wadsworth Jarrell created this eye-dazzling portrait of renowned civil rights activist and writer Angela Davis as a testament to her leadership in the fight for racial, gender, and economic justice. Jarrell depicted Davis wearing a “revolutionary” suit that his wife Jae Jarrell designed in 1969 for AfriCOBRA, a Chicago-based artist collective that celebrated black culture. Featuring the group’s signature intense color, Davis’s outfit is covered in her own words as well as Black Power slogans reflecting the ongoing struggle of black people in America. As she speaks, her voice becomes a radiating burst of words and color that mirrors the passion and power of her activism.

Koehler & Dramm Institute of Floristry (Susan Schultze), 2021

Revolutionary (Angela Davis)

Revolutionary (Angela Davis), 1972

Wadsworth Jarrell; Publisher: Wadsworth Jarrell

Nancy Rand

Tahkt-I-Sulayman Variation II

Jody Dueber, Jane Slade

Composition

Amber Griffin, Fineartpho

Devi Uma Parameshvari

Cristina Covalschi

Nandan-style Skirt

Micky Paine

Study for Improvisation V

Heidi Rieck, Wendy Omland

City Night

Marah Nightingale, Bachman's

Bronze

Julia Hazlett, Anne Luther

Entropia (review)

Julie Holland

Untitled

Noni Threinen

Pleasure Boat

Nancy Hayer

Heavy Seas at Sunset

Christy Campbell, Madeline Campbell

Woman Looking at a Mirror

Phyllis Andrews, Kathryn Malody, North Star Lily Society

Winding River

Andi Schwartz, Lucy Schwartz

False door

Michelle Aldentaler

Ivan Albright, Through a Glass Darkly