Welcome to The Paper Wildflower

Connect with nature: rewilding a life through art.

Dear reader and fellow flower-friend,

How are you? Have we met? My name is Ling, and I am a paper artist specialising in wildflowers. I may have written to you before, from Paper by Dragonfly - as you can see, I’ve decided to make a change. Welcome to The Paper Wildflower, which I want to write as though I’m penning real letters to you. I’ve tried to write so many times, but it can be hard, picking up a pen and paper and getting those words out. Do you remember the excitement of getting a letter, recognising the handwriting, tearing the letter open? Many of you will… I miss writing letters and I really miss receiving them - so I plan to write more regularly, and hope to spread a little light and joy as I write about art and nature. OK… where to begin?

---

Well, May 2023 has been a big month for me and Dragonfly. It’s a little over three years since my wedding stationery business was - literally - cancelled over night. I know many of us experienced severe upheaval as a result of Covid and the lockdowns which ensued and losing my business was so little compared to the losses many people suffered. Still, in my world it caused a lot of anxiety and pain. I turned to paper flowers as a remedy, and I honestly could not have imagined at that time that three years later I would be writing to you like this. I’ve already talked extensively about this period, but my message today is that the most important experience during my lockdown was not paper flowers - it was about reconnecting with nature.

The picture above was taken a year ago, it still embarrasses me to think I had lived in Hoylake for 25 years before I discovered this little pond and nature park. Hoylake isn’t exactly a big place! But life was different, BC (Before Covid…). Maybe I connected better with the place I lived, too? These days I make a point of walking there two or three times every week. I love to see the seasons changing, listen to the birds, and watch the flowers bud, bloom and fade. It’s life, in all its rich glory. Do you have a regular walk you take? And did it take you a while to find it? I’d love to hear your stories - please tell me in the comments.

PAPER MEADOW & OPEN STUDIO

Open Studio is just around the corner, the Wirral Open Studio Tour takes place on 9 / 10 / 11 June so there’s little over a week to go and lots of very busy creatives sweeping out their studios and trying to make things shipshape* and Bristol fashion - or maybe that’s just me? And where does that expression come from? (*note to self, must scrub the deck!!). I hope you can make it - the full Euroflower collection, now rebranded as ‘Nature’s Palette’ will be on display, fresh from its 5 week stint at World Museum Liverpool.

Going back to that idea of connecting with nature, I’m excited to tell you that today I have installed the Paper Meadow at Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre. A 5m square installation, this has been a co-creation with children at schools across the Wirral, and goes on display at 12 noon tomorrow. It was a joy to visit so many schools and have the chance to talk about my favourite subject - wildflowers. We talked flowers, and pollinators, and at the same time, we made paper flowers together. The image above shows all the different flowers we made - a fabulous array of British Wildflowers (and one or two equally fabulous fantasy flowers!).

This was a real opportunity to talk about the importance of plants and nature and, I hope, plant some seeds for the future with these students. My goal, always, is to encourage everyone to look closer - I want everyone to connect and fall in love with nature. Especially plants!

The installation will be in situ for the whole of June, and then moves to Birkenhead Park Gallery for a couple weeks, after which a section will move to The Lady Lever Gallery, Port Sunlight.

---

AND FINALLY……

To celebrate - because I do believe we should celebrate everything - life is short, wear your best finery, use the fancy crockery, do not keep the parlour locked up for best! - YES! To celebrate I’m offering 15% off all listed courses delivered at Studio 3, 3 Wood Street. This offer will last until the end of June 2023, and applies to courses on the website right now, and any courses I list before the end of June - (any suggestions? Now is your opportunity! I’d really like to do a day of giant flowers - what do you think? Give me your suggestions below). Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

My friend, that’s all for now, thank you so much for reading. (Important Diary Dates are at the bottom of the letter). Please tell me your news in comments, and feel free to share this letter with like minded friends. I would love to build a community of friendly, flower facing souls.

With much love and until next time, Ling x

PS Important Diary Dates

Friday 2nd June 2023 - the Paper Meadow launches at Wirral Country Park Visitors Centre and will be there throughout June.

Saturday 3rd June 2023 - Along with a huge range of other STEAMprofessionals, I will be demonstrating floral paper craft at Wirral Makefest at The Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead - come a long for an entertaining and informative day!

Until Sunday 4th June 2023 …last few days to visit Natures Palette aka Euroflowers at World Museum Liverpool! It’s there until Sunday 4th June.

Friday 9th - Sunday 11th June 2023 …to plan your visit to Wirral Open Studios go here

Wednesday 12th July 2023 …there are still a few place remaining on my Peony workshop at Toolerstone, Tarporley - please book directly with Toolerstone - it promises to be a lovely day, in a beautiful setting, with a delicious lunch!