Alexander Campbell’s book, Flower Academy, presents a unique perspective on flower arranging. As the author says in his introduction he is interested in “the point in which a flower ceases to be a flower and starts to become color, texture, and form… the crossroad at which a flower departs from being a sole material and becomes part of a unified whole…the fleeting moment when a flower becomes art. With that kind of an introduction the reader know for sure that the book will be exciting, creative, and full of new ideas.
After a review of the basic tools and skills needed to condition, care for, and work with floral plant material, the author reviews fundamental design principles and color theory, and then present directions for 20 projects that convey emotion and ideas. The projects are arranged in four groups: hand-tied bouquets, vase arrangements, centerpieces, and extravagant elements. A flower glossary, flower substitution list, and suggestions for future floral experiences conclude the work.
Each project-group includes four or six projects. Several pages are devoted to each project and consist of an introduction describing the goals and unique characteristics of the project, lists of needed foliage, flowers, and supplies, a photograph of the completed project, and step by step instructions with photographs. Standout projects include “Crossing the River Styx” a hand-tied arrangement using black roses and black lisianthus, “Midnight Fairies” a vase arrangement of brown hydrangeas, corylus branches, astrantia and clematis, and “Once Upon a Midnight Dreary”, a centerpiece featuring dark purple hellebores, black scabiosa, and black roses. The candelabra project with the name “Tell Me How Men Kiss You”, tantalizes the senses with pink and white roses complemented with white delphinium and pink carnations and lisianthus. Truly a sight to behold!
The arrangements throughout the book captivate the eye as well as the imagination. The selection of plant material includes favorites such as ruscus but coconut leaves, foxtail fern fronds and branches of magnolia, cotton, and cotinus are also used. In addition to favorites flowers such as roses, carnation, and delphinium, , dahlias, and nerine are favored. Campbell fondness for black flowers and spray painted foliage may not be to everyone’s taste, but they are used well and certainly add a welcome element of interest.
To buy Flower Academy from Amazon.com, click here.
Karen