Hello,
October Flower Thoughts
Welcome to this October's Flower Thoughts, where I reflect on the concept of tension, and share a traditional arrangement created with a contemporary eye by Jill Hoskin.
In a new gallery of work by Duc Thuan Bui, the process of discovering connections and creative solutions is explored - bringing together elements from diverse categories of the Design Schema.
Most exciting for me personally is the return of Gregor Lersch to Sydney to share his latest developments in encouraging floral design innovation at our next premier annual event, Flower Thinking Connections '26.
Read on!
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Design of the Month - Contemporary Classicism
Traditional design styles can often be overlooked in favour of their contemporary alternatives. Yet, with a few tweaks, a familiar triangle or fan shaped composition can be given a fresh update to attract the eye. Our October Designer of the month, Jill Hoskins, does just that - taking a near-symmetrical triangular design and enlivening it with groupings, strong contrasts and areas of negative space.
While the final result has a decorative feel, the clear presentation of most of the individual materials offers a formal-linear impression that further elevates the arrangement. Jill brings together this hybrid approach and material diversity with a gentle colour scheme, creating a decidedly harmonious feeling.
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.A radial design connecting valuable learnings from traditional and contemporary worlds
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What is Tension?
An oft-cited solution for improving a composition is to add tension; and the suggestion is frequently followed by the question - What do you mean by tension?
When I think about tension, I mostly focus on the principle of contrast, in conjunction with proportion and dominance.
Adding tension to a design usually involves identifying existing key design choices, and then adding a small amount of the opposite in one or more of those choices. For example, if you are creating a vertical design with upward directed proportions, to add tension you might include one or a few prominent (but not dominant) downward directed materials. The downward flowing placements oppose the dominant upward directed energy and can add interest and impact to the design.
Tension draws awareness, so it needs to be handled carefully. It can add interest, excitement and a dynamic energy to a design; however, the proportion of tension (contrast) needs careful consideration. When working with two opposing forces/energies you want one to be decisive (dominant) and the other to be a fascinating highlight (subordinate).
In the following design, the majority of the main floral and structural placements are upwardly directed. Contrasting these are a few key components that project downward energy - a long, curving line of Black Willow, and the long curving spine and lower crescent shapes in the structure.
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It's possible to create tension within many design elements and choices, including:
- Colour schemes - adding an unexpected hue.
- Line direction - including some opposing lines.
- Texture - mixing in some surprising textural contrasts.
- Spatial handling - playing with the balance of mass and voids.
- Form contrasts - incorporating unconventional forms or shapes.
The following design has predominantly upward directed proportions, with most of the material placements following that energy:
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Look closely within and you’ll notice a couple of prominent placements that introduce a downward energy (the tip of the long cocofibre sickle and the inverted, dried Strelitzia leaf). These choices add tension, and create more impact.
Adding some well considered tension to a design can really enhance its overall impression - taking it from comfortable to exciting.
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Announcing
The Return of Gregor Lersch
with
Flower Thinking Connections 2026
Saturday 15 through Tuesday 18 August 2026
I'm delighted to announce that Gregor Lersch will be returning to Australia to teach at Flower Thinking's 2026 premier annual event, Flower Thinking Connections 2026.
Following the successes of our last two premier annual events - Displacement, Distinction, Disruption 2024 with Gregor Lersch - and Modern Floral Numeracy with Bart Hassam this year, interest in next year's event has already been strong and I can confidently say the wait is going to be worth it.
Gregor will be inspiring and teaching us in a three day workshop - Innovation through Connection & Combination - and an immersive one day Floral Design Symposium - Connecting Flowers & Design.
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In Pursuit of a Harmonious Aesthetic
Our latest online exhibition, by Australian Designer Duc Thuan Bui, is a feast of creative concepts carefully combined into designs that are each inspired by the works of the masters.
The gallery showcases Duc's process of discovering connections and creative solutions, all in pursuit of a harmonious aesthetic.
The exhibition is titled Experimenting and you can access it here:
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Textural bridal design with Eryngium, Phalaenopsis and Zantedeschia.
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Thank you for joining me in reading October Flower Thoughts - I hope it has inspired and stimulated your creative energies. |
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.A trailing design of fresh and dried materials, bridging between the floral concepts 'textured' and 'structured'.
Design - Created by Gregor Lersch at Boerma Instituut, Aalsmeer, The Netherlands
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