This summer, I returned from the UK with a heart full of inspiration — and as always, it was the flowers that spoke to me most.

Everywhere I turned, from the wild beauty of English gardens to the curated brilliance of museum exhibitions, florals were in full bloom. Whether woven into a textile at the V&A, layered on a canvas at the Saatchi Gallery, or flourishing in a tucked-away garden in Sussex, flowers seemed to be telling stories — quiet ones, joyful ones, timeless ones. And I was all ears (and eyes, and sketchbook).

As someone who has always loved painting florals — both in my own garden and in the studio — this trip was a true creative recharge.

One of the most soul-stirring moments of my trip was visiting our friends home and garden in Stone Gate, Sussex. It felt like walking into a dream. The soft spill of lavender, towering hollyhocks, and rambling roses seemed to paint the landscape with an effortless hand. I took my sketchbook and just absorbed the palette, textures, and rhythm of the space. The quiet buzz of bees and the way the light danced through petals reminded me of why I fell in love with painting flowers in the first place.

Strawberries from the garden — Picking strawberries for dessert

Florals on Canvas — and in Museums

In London, I was lucky enough to catch the “Arts and Bloom” exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. What a gift! The show was a bold, expressive celebration of floral painting in contemporary art — full of rich colors, dramatic brushstrokes, and personal interpretations of flowers beyond just pretty subjects. It reminded me how powerful and emotive florals can be, especially when they reflect memory, movement, and mood.

I also visited the Victoria and Albert Museum, where a ceramics exhibition showcased floral motifs through centuries of design, from delicate hand-painted porcelain to bold modern pieces. The National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery’s new wing gave me a deep appreciation for how florals have appeared quietly in fashion, fabric, and backgrounds for centuries — little nods to beauty, growth, and change.

Faith Bridgewater’s floral paintings at Saatchi Gallery

British Pottery Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum

Florals in My Own Work

I’ve been painting florals both traditionally and digitally, working with gouache and inks for many years now, a subject matter close to my heart. I explore layered compositions and color palettes that feel fresh and alive. Some of these pieces are loose and abstract, some more detailed and meditative. I have shared a few of these works old and new throughout the blog and on social media — I hope they bring a bit of joy and inspiration your way.

Teaching What I Love

For those who don’t know, I also teach an Abstract Floral Painting class, where I guide students to loosen up, trust their instincts, and express themselves through blooms. Whether you're painting a daisy or a dreamscape of color, there's something deeply therapeutic about floral art. It connects us to the natural world, to emotion, to memory — and it has always been part of my visual language.

If flowers play a role in your creative life too — in painting, gardening, photography, or just admiring a fresh bouquet — I’d love to know what inspires you most. For me, this summer reaffirmed something I’ve always felt: florals aren’t just decorative — they’re deeply human.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for new artwork, workshops, and sketchbook peeks!

With petals and paint,

Petals, Paint, and Places: My Floral Journey

Florals on Canvas — and in Museums

Florals in My Own Work

Teaching What I Love

Culture, connection and Hockney : A Paris Getaway”