Plant Appreciation

Nature observed, colour transformed © Lily Bakratsa

Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s close-up paintings of flowers, this workshop encouraged participants to slow down and truly observe the plants around them. Using live flowers as their source of inspiration, they explored colour, shape, symmetry, pattern and the intricate details of botanical forms before translating their observations into expressive floral paintings. Through this process, plant observation became a creative and sensory experience, connecting the natural world with art and encouraging a deeper appreciation of the beauty and diversity of flowers.

A sunflower, observed and reimagined © Lily Bakratsa

Designed for older adults participating in the community group at Coin Street Community Builders, this accessible and inclusive workshop explored how art can encourage closer observation of plants and foster a deeper appreciation of the natural world. Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s distinctive paintings of flowers, participants were introduced to the idea of looking closely at flowers rather than simply seeing them as a whole. Using real flowers as their starting point, they observed and selected colours, shapes, patterns and symmetry from the plants in front of them, considering the qualities that made each flower unique. These observations were then translated into an experimental art-making process: participants applied paint to one half of a sheet of paper, folded it over and pressed the two sides together before opening it to reveal a mirrored floral composition. The element of surprise encouraged curiosity and experimentation, while the resulting symmetry created an interesting connection between the structure of the artwork and the natural forms they had been observing.

Inspired by O’Keeffe’s approach of enlarging and interpreting floral forms, participants were encouraged not simply to reproduce a flower but to respond creatively to its visual qualities. In this way, the workshop transformed plant observation into a sensory and creative experience, helping participants slow down, notice details they might otherwise overlook and develop a more personal connection with flowers. The outcome was therefore more than a finished artwork: participants practised looking carefully at plants, explored their visual characteristics through colour and form, and experienced how close observation of nature can become a source of creativity, curiosity and appreciation.

The participants were delighted and genuinely surprised by the artwork they created, with many discovering a new sense of confidence and enjoyment through the creative process. The quality and individuality of the finished pieces were so well received that the Coin Street Community Builders team decided to give the work a life beyond the workshop. Selected artworks were professionally printed and transformed into greeting cards, which were then presented and sold at a local art fair. This provided participants with a wonderful opportunity to see their creative work valued and shared with the wider community, turning a simple exploration of flowers and colour into something tangible that could be celebrated and enjoyed by others.