Rewilding my life through art
The joy of paper flowers
Dear reader, whoever you are, friend, family, follower….fellow flower maker. I hope you have woken to birds singing this morning, or at the very least, a little Sunday peace. Sundays to me are always a day of rest, the punctuation stop marking the end of the business. A day of little obligation and living slowly. Maybe today I will make some flowers? Maybe I will read a book? Maybe I will sit and dream?
First, I will write this letter to you, an enjoyable pastime. I want to tell you about my art, the gentle, absorbing, mindful art of making paper flowers, how I came to it, and how it has changed everything.
In 2019, I was a stationery designer, busy, sometimes struggling to find time for myself, going through an extended period of searching - for a change, for a creative change, for something to stimulate me, wake me up and rekindle my fire. By chance, a bride mentioned wanting giant paper flowers at her wedding, and told me she would like me to make them. Laughing it off, I told her I would look into it, and the conversation moved on, but something lodged in my mind, and I did. More - I dived into it. By the end of week one, I had a stack of books by my bed and I knew I had found a portal to something special. But - I was a stationery designer, busy, sometimes struggling to find time… My studio in 2019 was a hive of creativity, combining graphic design and illustration with printing, origami, ribbon work, paper cutting, you name it. And working in the wedding industry means your life is dictated by non-negotiable deadlines. Alongside this I was dabbling in pattern design, attempting to run a gift shop, and mothering twins. So the occasional evening on which I was able to open one of this books was few and far between. Yet, even then, I found myself digging out my trusty old wildflower book, and attempting to make buttercups and ragged robin from tissue paper.
Six years later, the art of paper flowers has rewilded my life. From not even knowing that this was what I was searching for, to the sheer joy of rekindling my love of wildflowers, it has changed everything. I have spent countless hours learning how to manipulate papers to create petals, hours looking at coltsfoot, campion and cuckoo flower through my lupe, figuring out the details, sketching, using the simplest tools - hands, scissors, a bamboo skewer - to recreate these beauties using paper. And alongside the creative process, the experience of reconnecting to nature has brought meaning, peace and solace - an end to the constant searching.
And the reality of this life? In some ways it’s not an easy path. Imagine trying to explain what I do. There is a whole process of re-education to go through, explaining why creating paper flowers is not simply an alternative to real flowers, or those horrible plastic flowers so readily available. Paper flowers have many virtues, it is true. They are sustainable, a greener choice, recyclable if necessary (although why would you when you can keep them forever?). There are no air miles attached so if you fancy peonies in the middle of winter, there they are! Oh, and how about blue daffodils? Voila! With paper flowers you truly can have any flower, in any colour, at any time of year. But, this does not even get close to the heart of the matter. For me, what matters is the process. The beautiful process of looking at a flower, looking really closely. Studying the colours. Taking some time, taking in the awe, wondering at the miracle. Nature grows this from a single seed - and yet I know it will take me days, if not weeks to recreate. And that during those weeks, I will be absorbed by this flower, I will be drawn into it, and it will keep me in the moment, petal by petal, as I piece it together. This beautiful process keeps me connected, and at the end of it, there is always another flower.
So what shape does this creative life take? There are busy times and fallow times, but I have a studio and the rent must be paid. Very occasionally, I still design and make event stationery. Sometimes, fortune smiles and a wonderful commission comes along. But mostly I teach, through both Classes and Craftkits, and I teach because I love this unusual creative process so much, I want to share it with everyone. Sometimes it takes me into schools, sometimes I visit amazing venues to deliver workshops, most often I deliver sessions in my studio in Hoylake, Wirral. And this autumn, for the first time, I will be delivering a retreat, alongside my friend Meg (Floragami) who, like me, found her life changed by paper flowers. Our retreat takes place at Little Massingham Manor in North Norfolk, a beautiful country house set in 63 acres of woodland, meadow and beautiful gardens. From 25th - 28th September this year we will welcome twelve guests and immerse ourselves in the wonderful art of paper flower making, deepening our connection to nature through the process of observation and recreation. Read, if this resonates, register your interest to flowers@paperbydragonfly.com and we will send you all details on release. It will be an unforgettable weekend.
Thank you, as always, for reading, and until next time, with love, Ling
A FLOURISHING RETREAT: In partnership with Meg Lowder of @florigami.paperflower I am delighted to announce we are hosting an exclusive luxury paper flower retreat. From September 25th - 28th we’ll be welcoming you to the stunning Little Massingham Manor in Norfolk for an unforgettable 3 day, 3 night experience. Spaces are limited so register your interest today: flowers@paperbydragonfly.com or send me a direct message. Full details coming soon.
CLASSES On 2nd March I will be delivering a spring flowers workshop at Ruthin Craft Centre. Come along and celebrate St David by spending a day crafting beautiful Daffodils and other spring flowers using nothing but paper, wire and glue! Limited spaces available, visit Eventbrite to book! Wildflower classes will be coming to Ruthin in early May, watch this space!
BLOSSOM AND CREATE my new series of two hour paper flower classes, continues on 11th February with red valentines tulips! Classes run every Tuesday with the choice of a morning (11-1) or an evening (7-9) session. Come along and be part of my paper flower community! During February we are making a lot of daffodils, tulips and other spring flowers. Classes are £25 ( everything is included) and for every four you attend you get one free - bonus! BOOK HERE
FLORIBUNDA the exhibition is on now at The Atkinson Southport until 15th March. You can meet some of the artists at the gallery on 27th February and 8th March (including me).
SPRING IS IN THE AIR! Celebrate with Craftkits from THE PAPER WILDFLOWER. A lovely treat for yourself, a fabulous gift for the crafter in your life - or a day well spent having fun and making flowers: a quality time gift for Mothers Day 💚 Craftkits are £15 each or three for £40, always available online, and now available from The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool and Lady Lever Gallery, Port Sunlight.
Images by @jane_hockey_photography except gallery one, by Ling Warlow
It’s fascinating to read this Ling, and to see the way that your flowers have evolved. I always think that the ghost flowers are especially beautiful (but then I like white lights on trees).
I love your reference to how paper flowers have helped you "rewild your life". The way you describe what it means to you, the process rather than the outcome, is such a great example of what we can experience when we find it.