NORMA GORDON SPECIAL FLORAL DEMONSTRATION

Held in conjunction with the 2007 WA FLORAL ART SOCIETY INC 'MEMBERS CHAMPIONSHIP' and 55th Anniversary Celebrations

The WEST AUSTRALIAN FLORAL ART SOCIETY INC

Celebrating 55 years of Floral Art in  Western Australia proudly presented a Special Floral Event titled :  

'EMERALD CELEBRATIONS’

The 2007 WA Floral Art Society Inc  Members Championship for Floral Art Competition as well as other Competitive Classes was this year held in conjunction with the 55th Anniversary 'Emerald' Celebrations of the WA Floral Art Society staged at the Heathcote Galleries, Duncraig Road, Applecross, providing a 'Floral Feast' of textures, forms, patterns and colours, showcasing the floral talents of members from this Society.  

Talented Tasmanian Floral Designer NORMA GORDON was our special guest demonstrator who provided a wonderful Demonstration with a 'Green Theme' on Saturday the 9th June at the South of Perth Yacht Club located on the picturesque banks of the Swan River.  

On the Sunday Norma also provided a 'special' workshop for floral designers from around this state on the  Modern - Italian Layered Design - Horizontal design, providing opportunities to gain knowledge and 'hands on' experience  in creating this subject.   Norma also provided detailed notes on constructing this subject and an extract of these notes are detailed below.

Members and floral artists from around this State were delighted to have Norma (and husband Mervyn) visit and share her floral designing skills at this special occasion and promoting 'Friendship Through Flowers'.   

NORMA GORDON DEMONSTRATION DESIGNS

Norma Gordon

To view photographs of the 2007 WA Floral Art Society Members Championship Competition and other Competitive class results and photographs, please follow the above link.

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WORKSHOP 

Modern - Italian Layered Design - Horizontal

Notes sourced and provided by Norma Gordon during the special Workshop provided on Sunday the 10th June 2007.

See Australian Floral Art Association (AFAA) Manual pages 66 & 67

 "Interest is created ... etc... or hidden"

AFAA Manual Extracts ..Page 11 ... Horizontal lines usually create a restful, soothing effect.

Page 60 ... Dominant placements are horizontal.

Pages 65, 66 - Containers are usually "modern" but can be "old" if they have a well defined form.

NOTES :

The container is important and its size and visual weight dictate the final dimensions of the design although the plant material still dominates.

Bold plant forms can be used, particular for 'accents'

Manipulation of foliage (especially) is often done to create new forms.

Texture and colour contrasts are important but not too many in the one design otherwise Dominance, Rhythm, Proportion and Balance could be adversely affected.

There is always Unity and Harmony between the container and other components in the design.

Page 132 of the AFAA Manual .. ... 'Horizontal '- a type of line, parallel to the horizon

Step 1.  Container & floral foam             Step 2 Initial Placings                               Step 3                                       Step 4                                             

Suggested Plant Materials: 

Linear forms (most important) Flax, bark, bamboo, reeds, gymea, strelitzia, aspidistra, calla, canna, cordilyne, philodendron, sansevieria, fern, Erica, stems, steel/bear grass, long pods, bulrushes, clipped palm, conifer, veneer, anthurium flowers, weathered and other wood.  Moss or similar to finish the design.

Choose a selection of these or other similar, linear forms to create the basis of your horizontal design, giving special consideration to the colour, texture and form (length, width) and how you will be able to place them in your design.  Remember 'creativity' and opt for something unusual perhaps, or create some 'artificial' plant material as mentioned in the definition.

Accent Forms

These will create the visual interest areas' in your design.

Remember that the overall effect has to be horizontal so you won't want to create a dominate focal area(s).  These accent forms will help draw the eye along the horizontal plane and either contrast or harmonise with your linear materials.

Hosta, figularia, berbabia, anthurium and philodendron leaves, orchids, chrysanthemums, carnations, roses, celosia, strelitzia, some fruits and vegetables could be suitable.  Linear banksias could also be effective. 

Containers :

One container, or two related containers placed side by side one a little further back to help create depth in the design, or a metal or wooden stand, of one or more levels, raised from the base plate to give more height to the design.  If more than one level, one could be above and behind the lower one and to one side to create symmetry.

Mechanics :

Floral foam is probably the best option.  Depending on the overall size of the design, one or two bricks could be needed.  The foam may need to be placed horizontally or vertically, or juxtaposed or stepped.  Pin and / or wire "hairpins".  Satay sticks for holding foam if going high may be needed. 

To view photographs of the 2007 WA Floral Art Society Members Championship Competition and other Competitive class results and photographs, please follow the above link.

 

 

 

WA Floral Art Society Website  'Site Map'

 

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Website developed and managed for the West Australian Floral Art Society Inc by Dianne Buckles.

For any problems or questions regarding this website please contact Dianne on email : dbuckles@bigfoot.com.au

Last updated: June 30, 2007.