Welcome to our ‘5 Questions with ’ a series of interviews with the countries leading floral designers, florists, growers and wholesalers. I hope these interviews will give you an insight into our industry. It is one of creativity and a great deal of hard work. From discovering new varieties of flowers, to transporting and selling at the markets, to entering the florist shops and being created into floral art. The floristry industry is bustling . So sit back, grab yourself a cup of tea and immerse yourself into the world of floristry with Flourish Sussex Flower School and some very special guests.
For my first interview I am delighted to be interviewing the lovely Lucy Hunter. Lucy’s work is full of romance, beauty, with a historical feel. Here she gave up some of her time to give us a little insight into the world of Lucy The Flower Hunter, Enjoy.
Lucy thank you so much for agreeing to kick start off our series of interviews. Please tell us about your background and how The Flower Hunter was created.
I have spent my life in a garden really and I’m always drawn to the outside whatever the seasons. After completing a fine art degree at Liverpool Uni (many moons ago) I eventually did further training as a garden designer. It was a perfect blend of the outside life, plants, trees and shrubs and creativity. Running my own business also gave me the freedom to look after my very young son at the time as I needed too. As he grew older and more independent so did the business and the jobs. My landscaping work became big on every scale and I stopped looking at the fine detail and flowers that I loved so much. I spent all my time trying to work out spreadsheets, vat returns and getting 30 landscapers on site to do what I wanted. It was at his point I felt I needed to stop or at least slow down and notice again, listen to my creativity which felt a bit lost.
My sister decided to get married and I was roped into do the flowers. That was 3 years ago. I discovered Instagram and went on a few floristry courses and started to really observe and look at flowers again.
Bringing them inside and working on a smaller scale focused my attention. I loved it. Now I do both but I’m more selective over what I take on.
I also really enjoy teaching here and abroad with other fabulous creatives, photographers and florists; encouraging guests to find their creative voice again.
Your work is like a painting. I feel like when I scroll through your Instagram page it is a fusion of early 20 century glamour and elegance, Where does your inspiration come from to create your floral designs?
Thank you.
I grew up with a Father who deals in antiques and a home filled with eccentric and beautiful objects. I’ve always loved items that have a story to tell and are noble through their authenticity rather than some mass market fake grandeur. I’m always trying to tell a story I guess.
I adore the elegance of 19th century architecture and the glamour and grace of the early 1920’s. Things weren’t made on mass so much then and objects were passed down and loved through the generations. When I think of an object I see more than just a vessel to hold water, it is very much part of the entire arrangement.
Your background is in landscape design, was it a natural progression to move into floral designing?
Yes, I think the two inform each other and both have made me look and question the other. Both consider proportion, form, texture and colour. I always loved creating show garden for the RHS as well, instant impact, a bit of theatre which is why I enjoy floral installations and a bit of ‘smoke and mirror’s as well really. I also think its important to have some understanding of the plant you are arranging with. The way it would naturally grow, how it would interrelate with the other flowers and plants around it. This all makes for a peaceful image.
When clients approach you about doing their wedding flowers, what is your creative process from the first consultation to creating their wedding flowers?
I look at their Pinterest boards. Observe their colour combinations, style preferences, consider the venue and how this can work. If we seem to be the right fit then I will send them a brief mood board and price list.
I very much view floral designing as an art form and think your style of floristry defines that. Like many artists do you ever get artistic block? If this does occur how do you go about overcoming it?
Oh goodness. Yes, all the time. I think it is so important to stay curious as an artist. It is so easy to just look at the bottom line in our businesses and become a slave to the client, vat man or Instagram. While we obviously do need to make money and pay the bills and Instagram is a really important business tool, it is also essential that we keep our creative minds active and thoughtful and really take the time to ‘stand and stare’ because that is who we are and what fuels the future of our business (and state of mind).
If I feel that I’ve hit a wall and everything I do is just not cutting it or feels pretty rubbish I tend to give myself an afternoon in my studio with flowers and photograph and just create for the sake of it, not for anyone else, just me. I take the pressure off and give myself some freedom. Walking the dogs in the mountains is good too!
Sometimes you just have to except that today is an odd day but tomorrow will be much better. Inspiration can come when you least expect it so sometimes its good to stop looking for it… it is still there, just waiting for you to see again.
I love the stories that you share with your photographs on Instagram. How did you come up with the concept for these delightful captions?
Ha ha… well my mad eccentric family and the bizarre world we live in fuels my ‘wittering’s’ each week. They just evolved, it wasn’t something I set out to do really.
Bonus Question
We can not ignore the very challenging times that we are finding ourselves in right now. As part of the 'Stay at Home and Get Creative' campaign we are promoting being creative as a source of mindfulness. I was wondering if you could share any creative activities that you find particularly calming when things seem overwhelming.
I have really enjoyed having the time to paint again over the last few weeks. It really isn’t something I’ve allowed myself to do for years (it felt like an extravagance) but just time, with my headphones on up a ladder making a mess on the wall of the studio has been very therapeutic.
We are very lucky in that we live on the side of a mountain as well so our daily exercise walking the dogs has the benefit of beautiful inspiring views.
If it all becomes far too much then I take myself off to the greenhouse, listen to the sounds of the Ocean waves on my headphones (can really recommend the app – ‘insight timer’ for this) and sow seeds individually into pots. Some are so tiny it takes every bit of concentration… especially as I’m quite blind these days. Oh.. and don’t watch too much news….!
Lucy The Flower Hunter
Website: https://www.theflowerhunter.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucytheflowerhunter/
A massive thank you to Lucy for kicking of our ‘5 Questions with’ .. Join us next week for some more very special guests.