April 07, 2026
Some of the most meaningful pieces I create begin with a simple message in my inbox — a photograph of a handwritten poem, special wedding vows typed with care, or a few lines written years ago for someone dearly loved. My customers ask if those words can be preserved in a way that feels personal and lasting.
The answer is yes — with flowers.
In my studio, I combine custom typography, original watercolor details, and real pressed flowers from my garden to transform those words into botanical artwork. Each piece follows a thoughtful process that begins long before the flowers are placed on paper. If you’ve ever wondered how a handwritten poem becomes a finished pressed flower print, here is a look behind the scenes.
1. The Poem and the Planning
My first step involves the order and personal communication from my client. Not only will they provide the text for the artwork, but I ask that they give me more details...font ideas, color scheme, and favorite flowers. I want their art to be perfect...so the more information I have about their vision, the better. The above photo shows my workspace ready for a project. My customer wrote this poem for her sister-in-law, and told me that this special lady loves the color blue, mentioning daffodils and roses as possible flower choices. She also requested a handwritten font. I printed out a sample text of the poem to see how it fit in an 8x10 format, and then began to pull out pressed flowers from my homegrown supply to start the design process. Spring daffodils had just come out of my press--so that was easy--and I had a few pressed rosebuds from last fall. As for the requested blue flowers...I had some larkspur blooms pressed by a friend with an organic garden, and I envisioned them climbing up towards the daffodils. What I needed was another blue element to tie it together, but blue flowers are rare, and I did not have any more in supply.
What makes my work unique is that I not only incorporate my own flowers in my designs, but I also add watercolor elements to my work. The blend of watercolor with botanicals is so beautiful! When I look at the florals, I imagine what watercolor "pieces" I can add to the puzzle, and then pull out my paints and brushes.
2. Watercolor Accents
Many flowers press beautifully, but not many stems are quite as pretty. Stems can get stiff when dry, and some turn brown--so I love using watercolor stems instead. The daffodils needed some "strappy" greenery, the larkspur needed some delicate stems and leaves characteristic to that plant, and then the blue element...a watercolor butterfly! I checked with my customer to make sure she was okay with this addition and she gave me an enthusiastic go ahead!
3. Computer Design
I do not consider myself a "techie" person; I am much more comfortable with hand tools like garden trowels and paintbrushes. I have, however, learned a few tricks with editing software in order to combine my customer's sweet words with my art...in preparation for the flowers that will be the final layer to the art piece. It is at this point that I choose the best font for the text and format it correctly, often sending a proof to my customer to make certain it looks how they envisioned. Because my customer wanted a handwritten font, I chose one of my favorites and changed it from black to a deep navy blue. The original watercolor designs were made digital for printing with a high quality scan, arranged on the computer screen, always keeping the pressed florals in mind. The final copy is then printed on quality 100% cotton art paper. The canvas is ready...
4. The Flower Design
Each flower is now placed, one at a time, on the fine art paper, carefully glued so they are just right. Some are placed alone, others are layered to create dimension or to hide the bottom of flowers so they look "anchored" and not like they are floating. I often add extra greenery as I finish the design. I love greenery, and I can't explain how I know where it goes. You know how sometimes you look at a written word and you know it is spelled wrong because it just doesn't "look right"? That's how it is with my art...I look and look and add and take away until it is RIGHT. And here is the result...
5. The Finished Art Piece
Do you have a poem you would like preserved in flowers?
Many of the pieces I create begin with words that already hold special meaning — wedding vows, a poem written for a loved one, a favorite passage, or even a short message that deserves to be kept close.
If you have a poem or piece of writing you would like turned into botanical artwork, you are always welcome to reach out. Each print is created individually using pressed flowers and original watercolor elements, so every piece is SO different!
You can learn more about custom poem artwork HERE.