The Art of Flower Arranging with Alice Rossiter

Art comes in many different forms and mediums. One of the most widely practiced arts uses the most organic material available: flowers. From Japanese Ikebana, Mediterranean wreaths and garlands, to Western bouquets, flower arranging has a long and significant cultural history.

Alice Rossiter, founder and CEO of Alice’s Table, an innovative Boston lifestyle start-up, took her first flower arranging course as a high school student and fell in love.

Alice’s Table reinvigorates the practice of flower arranging, teaching classes at bars and restaurants, as well as homes. They cater to the busy, modern women and help launch sip-and-do events across the country.

We interviewed Alice about the art of flower arranging, and how it ties into the fine art tradition.

What draws you to the art of flower arranging?

It’s such a beautiful medium to start with, that anything you create with flowers can be really special. Each one isn’t the same. I also love that it is an organic medium. You’re creating things out of flowers and plants that are all unique.

Where do you draw inspiration for your arrangements?

There are so many different places that I draw inspiration from. I studied art in college and got my masters in art business, so art is a fundamental interest of mine. It’s always an inspiration to look at paintings and look at different mediums and apply that to flower arranging.

What is one of your favorite works of art?

I am currently obsessed with Nick Cave. I love the richness of texture he uses and the colors. I love how expansive [the work is], from performance art to a tangible piece that is collectible.

What are some of the most important visual elements you consider when putting together an arrangement?

Texture and color are the most important things—understanding that you are going to have a variety in the textural elements. Thinking about color theory and putting it together: Is it monochromatic, is it trichromatic, is it multicolored, and how [that affects] how many textures you want in the arrangement.

How do arrangements vary depending on their purpose?

Purpose is an important piece of it—understanding where its going. The vase has a large impact on what the arrangement becomes. Considering that, and considering the space is always important.

What advice can you give someone putting together their first bouquet?

The advice I always give is start with larger flowers; it’s easier to control. You can start to create a structure, create that full-looking vase.

BONUS QUESTION: What is your favorite flower?

Hydrangeas are my fave!

Join Alice’s Table at Abigail Ogilvy Gallery for an ArtWeek Boston event: Fine Art & Flowers, to create your own arrangement inspired by the vibrant watercolor paintings of Natalia Wróbel.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016: Puloma Ghosh