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There is no doubt that fashion favors the floral print this time of year. Quotes like “florals for spring, groundbreaking” or the more colloquial, “April showers bring May flowers” resonate for a reason. This year, as we find ourselves indoors more than out, it’s hard not to miss both the real flowers that we’re used to seeing sprout up as well as some of the lighter, brighter botanical pieces that we look forward to putting on as the season’s change.
That said, I personally have a new favorite floral quote that I’m living by, courtesy of artist David Hockney: “Don’t they know they can’t cancel spring?” Hockney has been creating beautiful iPad drawings of flowers lately that have been charming the world, one click at a time. This particular quote is the name of his daffodil piece. I’ve been seeing flowers of all variations sprout up across my screens -- not just from Hockney -- that have sparked the same joy that I formerly reserved for seeing them in the wild – or at the bodega on my corner. Personally, I used to think of taking my own pictures of flowers that I saw to be a bit of digital hoarding but now I find myself looking at even these, very amateur images with a renewed sense of wonder. So, in an effort to share my effervescence, here is a round up of the best blossoms to engage with now, from puzzles to prints, along with the floral print fashion items to match them. Warmer days deserve great flowers, no matter where you are spending your time. Think of this as gifting yourself a much needed bouquet, but one that will last even longer.
David Hockney’s iPad Garden – There is no doubt that Hockney inspired this article. His iPad drawings of daffodils have lifted the spirits of many a Vogue editor since appearing in The Guardian a couple weeks into the majority of the world being in quarantine. Part of this series that Hockney has done on his iPad, the garden print shown here, is available for purchase through 1stDibs. While we all might not be able to buy into this incredible set, having these available to see virtually is joy-inducing nonetheless.
Jamie Beck’s Photo-Realist Botanicals – Jamie Beck is a photographer living and working in Provence. When France imposed mandatory quarantines, Beck began a series of still-life shoots in her house for every day she spends inside – calling them “#ISOLATIONCREATION”. Though it was originally something to do to exercise the creative muscles and engage her Instagram community, she has since launched a store to sell her isolation creation’s as posters with 10% of proceeds benefiting the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Covid-19 Relief Fund. Earlier this week, Beck, via email, told me that it’s been “a lifesaver having a creative outlet and community to share with while not being able to work. Thank god for the flowers, though. French people in my village have been dropping them off to me from their gardens for my photographs.” How inspiring is that?
Jiggy’s Bitsy Blossoms – Jiggy is a puzzle company established to celebrate female artists. Their tagline sums this up – “makes puzzles worth framing”. Kaylin Marcotte started the Brooklyn-based brand when she realized she was making puzzles to unwind at home after making the transition from working full-time at an office to freelancing at-home. Sound like anyone else? Yeah, I’m going to go ahead and call her ahead of her time. Marcotte wanted to make more updated puzzles that celebrated modern art. Jiggy is a beautiful way of embracing at-home time and as an extension of its founding principles, Marcotte has launched a new line of puzzles – called Jiggy Originals – to return the support to the artists who are helping us keep sane during quarantine while they are, in many cases with galleries and museums closed, out of work. Throughout the month of May, Jiggy will launch new, one-of-a kind puzzles painted and illustrated by artists and auctioned off through their site to benefit the Artists Relief Fund. With a couple floral printed ones currently in the mix, these brightly bloomed wonders are the perfect things to keep anyone company right now.
Jonathan Cohen’s Bright and Bold Illustrated Blooms – Designer Jonathan Cohen, famed for his use of florals in his patterned ready-to-wear collections, has launched an ingenious digital flower shop through his website. Cohen provides bouquet illustrations – both ready made and customizable – as cards to send through email. Partial proceeds benefit one of three charities, of which the buyer can choose at checkout: Bowery Mission, Feed the Frontlines NYC and No Kid Hungry. The only tricky part? Picking just one of his designs.
Brent Neale’s Painterly Perennials – Inspired by her quarantine walks, jewelry designer Brent Neale Winston began a series of daily paintings of simple flowers. Meant to fill the void she felt missing her trips to buy flowers at her local farmer’s market, Winston decided to start selling her pieces to fund the Central Park Conservancy’s Adopt a Bench program. 100 percent of sales from the 45 one-of-a-kind still life series will sponsor a bench honoring the health care heroes supporting New York through this crisis.
