Behind The Scenes ~ Pressed Flower Spring Collection
Every winter, I spend the season creating with flowers and petals from warmer days. Over the years, this process has helped me stay focused and inspired during the quiet months—when business slows, and I have the freedom to create without the pressure of whether my ideas will turn out as expected.
"Painting" with flowers doesn’t always mean my vision translates exactly as I imagined. Unlike brushstrokes on paper or the precision of a photograph, this process doesn’t produce perfectly realistic results—but that’s what makes it both creative and challenging. Leaves become trees, petals transform into feathers, and flowers come together to form something entirely new. My art won’t resonate with everyone, and that’s okay (art isn't suppose to be loved by everyone). When you purchase an original piece fro me, you’re getting something natural, sustainable and one-of-a-kind made completely out of preserved botanicals... What's really cool is that no two flowers or petals are ever exactly alike, and I rarely replicate a design in the same way twice.
This winter, my main focus was a bird study—practicing realism with flowers rather than my usual abstract approach. It was a big shift from my previous style, but exactly the challenge I needed to push my creativity and find new joy in the process.
Enjoy some behind-the-scenes glimpses of my winter studio work, including progress shots and before-and-afters. When working within a theme, I typically create sets of six for my notecard collections—so now, I’m excited to offer a set of six bird cards, along with a few fun surprises for spring markets!
For the full collection—including original artwork and new card designs—explore the Spring Collection here. And if you’re in Nova Scotia, come visit me in person at local spring markets!
Crow Pressed Flower Artwork
The most challenging piece in the spring collection! I wasn’t sure how I’d create a completely black bird, but I love how it came together—with rich texture and depth. Featuring locally grown red and burgundy tulip, rose, and dahlia petals, paired with dark greenery for contrast.
Artwork Size: 10x13" | Frame Size: 16x20"
Available as: Framed Originals, Prints & Cards
Bluejay Pressed Flower Artwork
Blue flowers are some of my favorites to work with, so creating a blue jay felt like the perfect challenge. The colors and markings made for a fun, realistic design. Featuring locally grown delphinium, lupin, daisy, and bachelor button petals. Isn’t he cute?!
Artwork Size: 8x10" | Frame Size: 11x14"
Available as: Prints in the Spring Collection
Yellow Flying Finch Pressed Flower Artwork
Most of this season’s birds were ‘sitting,’ but for the yellow finch, I wanted to capture movement. I love how he looks like he’s coming in for a landing—right onto a beautiful bouquet of flowers (see the art prints!). Featuring locally grown sunflower petals, peony petals, pansy, and Canadian-grown yellow gerbera daisy.
Artwork Size: 8x10" | Frame Size: 11x14"
Available as: Prints
Chickadee Pressed Flower Artwork
The cutest of the spring songbirds—and honestly, the most fun to create! I loved making these so much that I created two slightly different versions. Featuring locally grown clematis, hydrangea, anemone petals, and dahlia, with deep red carnation petals on one of the birds. Finding flowers dark enough for the chickadee’s markings was tricky, but these deep purple and red tones pressed beautifully. The beak? A tiny sunflower petal.
Artwork Size: 5x7" | Frame Size: 8x10"
Available as: Two different framed originals
Eagle Head Pressed Flower Artwork
I had a few different ideas for the eagle, but in the end, I felt the head shape made the strongest impact. Featuring local ferns, eucalyptus leaves, and a mix of locally grown peony and daisy petals for the white feathers. The eye is the center of a deconstructed peony, and the beak is made from sunflower petals.
Artwork Size: 8x10" | Frame Size: 11x14"
Available as: Prints & Cards
Cape Blomidon ~ Pressed Flower Landscape
Only my second attempt at a landscape design—and it came with plenty of challenges! This piece is my creative take on a beloved local landmark, a symbol of home, and the site of the highest tides in the world. The Annapolis Valley’s rich agricultural landscape—its vibrant farm fields, vineyards, and flower farms—are all reflected in this artwork. Every flower used is locally grown, bringing this view to life through petals and leaves.
Artwork Size: 11x14" | Frame Size: 16x20"
Available as: Prints & Cards
Spring Rabbit Abstract Pressed Flower Art
The final piece in my spring collection—and one that’s been on my list for a while! With Easter just around the corner, I loved celebrating the season with this playful floral bunny collage.
Artwork Size: 8x10" | Frame Size: 11x14"
Available as: Prints & Cute Spring Cards (for all my bunny fanatics!)
As the seasons change, so does my creativity. This spring collection pushed me to explore new techniques, experiment with realism, and embrace the challenges that come with "painting" with petals. Each piece carries the beauty of locally grown flowers and the stories they tell through shape, texture, and color. I hope these artworks bring as much joy to you as they did to me while creating them. Thank you for following along on this journey—your support allows me to keep doing what I love. I can’t wait to share what’s next!
View the full Spring Collection in the shop!
Keep Blooming,
Ashley