From Press to Palette: Blooming into Botanical Art

Following the mindful creation of our flower presses, our second flower pressing workshop session blossomed into a beautiful display of creativity and connection. It was a joy to witness the transformation of carefully dried flowers and leaves into unique pieces of art.

Everyone carefully unwrapped their pressed botanical treasures. What emerged from the pages were delicate forms and vibrant colours, preserved moments of nature ready for their artistic rebirth.

Before committing to glue, there was a period of quiet contemplation and arrangement. Each participant thoughtfully positioning their petals and leaves on the chosen canvas. It was fascinating to see the diverse approaches, from intricate floral mandalas to more abstract compositions.

Once the arrangements took shape, the compostable potato starch glue was our gentle adhesive. The choice of paper itself added another layer of sustainable intention. Some opted for the smooth surface of recycled drinks cup paper, while others chose the textured wildflower seed paper, promising a future bloom from their artwork. We even gave new life to pages rescued from books destined for recycling at Selby Library.

Beyond the creative atmosphere, the session fostered a sense of peaceful connection. Gentle conversations flowed organically, weaving together personal reflections on the significance of nature in our lives and the inspiring future plans of Our Zero Selby. The atmosphere was truly relaxing and meditative, a welcome pause in the busyness of everyday life.

I was personally struck by the surge of creativity the process unlocked. Seeing the final artworks emerge, each one each one individual an showcasing  the beauty of the natural world, was genuinely wonderful. Some participants added their own personal touches with carefully chosen pieces of paper, while others came prepared with frames, ready to showcase their botanical artistry. A few even crafted delicate cards, transforming pressed flowers into heartfelt messages.

This hands-on experience, guided by the insightful Helen Brook as part of her Environmental Artist Residency at Selby Abbey through the Now Then! arts programme, beautifully illustrated how engaging with nature can spark our innate creativity. It was a powerful continuation of the themes explored in our first session, reinforcing the idea that these workshops are about so much more than just flowers. They are about fostering community, nurturing our connection to the environment, and discovering the artist within.

Witnessing this second stage of the flower pressing journey has only deepened my appreciation for the simple yet profound act of transforming natural elements into art. The quiet joy of creation, the gentle exchange of ideas, and the real beauty that emerged – it all underscored the power of community, nature, and art working in harmony. I left feeling inspired and already looking forward to seeing what other creative sparks will fly within the Our Zero Selby community.

Helen’s next workshop will be on Monday 12th May – Memories of Nature. Helen’s art installation Emergence', focusing on environment, sustainability and our impact on the natural world at Selby Abbey has now ended, but Mandy’s is available to see until 13th May. Helen’s sounds books are on display in Selby Library.

If you’re interested in arts and crafts workshops and activities, please do get in touch to find out about our future plans. claire@upforyorkshire.org.uk 01757 291111.

This experience is part of Helen Brook’s Environmental Artist Residency at Selby Abbey, through Now Then!, the exciting new arts programme for Selby, Sherburn, and Tadcaster from North Yorkshire Council and the Arts Council.

Read about our previous flower pressing session - creating the flower press.