I see more and more watercolor-y accents popping up in blog and website design, in magazines, and painterly patterns on clothing and textiles too. It’s a lovely trend that I definitely can ride from here until eternity. The ever talented photographer Jen Huang inspired me so much today with this introduction of watercolors that she offers to her clients along with her fantastic photography, something I’ve only seen before with Leslie’s work and a few others, as well as some Japanese books that I own. I think it’s gorgeous and it just made me happy.

Oh swoon. I love flowers, don’t you? I could write an entire book about them and I owe the love to my mother who was trained as a floral designer – our home was always filled with her arrangements. Some of you will meet her when I’m in Boston in August. She also loved to paint. I should take out my paints sometime and play around and see what I come up with. I really need to make some time to do that again soon. It’s funny, both my mother and aunt were painters, my aunt was a fine artist and art teacher, but I didn’t seem to get the urge to become a painter myself. Until I see work like Jen’s. Then I feel this gentle nudge to play a bit. I adore paintings, especially mixed media collage and watercolor work – two of my favorites – and so perhaps I should experiment a little. It’s been awhile… Do you paint?

I found out about Jen’s paintings on the 100 Layer Cake blog and so I hope you’ll click over to visit that gorgeous wedding wonderland when you have time. It’s a sweet, pastel-filled dream world.

(images: jen huang)

27 Responses to “Floral Photographs + Watercolors”

1 Luciane at HomeBunch.com commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:17 pm

Oh, my! I’m just waking up and seeing these pretty images makes me feel even happier about this brand new day!

Life is surrounded by beauty. We just need to keep walking in the path that searches for it.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

xo

Luciane
2 tinajo commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:27 pm

These images are breathtaking – thanks for posting them! :-)
tinajo´s last [type] ..At least one
3 Lace and Tulle commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:39 pm

Love all the photographs!
4 Jenny commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:41 pm

Jen’s paintings are very lovely. I will have to click over to the 100 layer cake to see more. As I read about your mom and Aunt being painters it reminded me of my dad and grandmother who were painters. I often pull out my water colors when I feel the urge to be extra creative in a different way. So, pull out your paints and paint something.
Jenny´s last [type] ..Project House
5 Maria Kallin commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:46 pm

What a wonderful idea with the photos and paintings. Watercolors are my favorite as well. And yes I do paint (with watercolors) but not as often and much as I would like to, it is so much easier to just photograph the things I see. Guess I have become lazy… But this really got me inspired :)
Maria Kallin´s last [type] ..Rumex acetosella
6 Cindy commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:46 pm

Wow, beautiful! I don’t paint, but I get to watch my husband paint, and then I try to take credit for them. Just kidding. I am so glad you are coming to Boston for your book tour!!
Cindy´s last [type] ..Cheesy Thursday – Jump
7 allison commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:52 pm

I love the idea of a watercolor painting of a bouquet instead of just photos! I love doing watercolors and ink washes!
allison´s last [type] ..Best Show on TV
8 Mariela commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Beautiful photos, I love flowers, flowers make me very happy. Have a nice day.
9 Trish commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 3:33 pm

Ooo, I do love watercolors! I would love to see your paintings. Everytime I’ve watched the movie “Miss Potter” with Renee Zellweger I want to get some painting in again too. I love the bit at the beginning credits with the details of painting.

I am also in love with the photo of the girl on the hill covered with tiny daisies! You always find the best stuff Holly!
:) Off to check it all out….
Trish´s last [type] ..Chaps in Spokane-Washington Farm Chick Heaven!
10 elisa commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 3:43 pm

oh yes, get out that paintbox! i love how watercolour so easily stretches from hobby to profession. it’s the one kind of painting i could return to again and again, such an intimate scale, and one i can do alongside my children. i tend to use it practically now – like when planning a garden. perhaps if i devote a little spot to it i’ll pull it out more too. x
11 PriscilaPetersDecor commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Darling! Who does not love beautiful flowers?? They bring you a great energy.
PriscilaPetersDecor´s last [type] ..Reuse what you have
12 Alyson commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 4:00 pm

I wish I had ANY artistic ability. I love the idea of preserving the memory of a bouquet in a watercolour piece!
Alyson´s last [type] ..Wish me luck!
13 Rosa Contreras commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Beautiful!!
14 Lauren commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 5:25 pm

I adore these, they’re so so so pretty!

I love flowers too and I love having fresh cut flowers in the house. I try to paint (I too come from a family of artists) but I don’t devote enough time to it to really get into it, which i should and now I feel inspired to do so! :)
Lauren´s last [type] ..Neontastic
15 amy commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 5:54 pm

lovely post! my friend katie does these beautiful illustrations to “preserve floral memories” – check out her work! http://www.katievernon.com/BOTANICHE/peony.html
16 Sarah {A Paper Proposal} commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 6:28 pm

Such a beautiful post!!!
Sarah {A Paper Proposal}´s last [type] ..Bright and Bubbly Engagement Shoot
17 saia commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 7:15 pm

Oh, heavenly photos! Thank you so much for sharing- so pretty! x x x
saia´s last [type] ..Iris Apfel- the Superhero
18 Kat commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 8:57 pm

Loved this Holly, beautiful paintings inspired by photos and flowers= heaven to me too. I do paint when able and mixed media creations are what I love as well.
Off to check the links now. Sweet wishes Kat x
Kat´s last [type] ..Garlands galore
19 Lisa commented:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:43 pm

So beautiful… I like the idea of wedding bouquets done in watercolor. What could be more meaningful than having a fine art painting as a remembrance of your special day? Thanks for sharing.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Bougainvillea
20 Star Hughes commented:
June 10th, 2011 at 2:21 am

I love the orange flowers in the jelly jar painting! Beautiful. All of these pictures are gorgeous actually!
21 Ea commented:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:24 am

i do indeed paint! but i find painting flowers difficult. seems like i need some practicing to do. :)
Ea´s last [type] ..Social Love2
22 The Fairy's Apprentice commented:
June 10th, 2011 at 6:41 am

Just beautiful! I read your blog in Reader, but I needed to comment and to express my gratitude that you found such beautiful pictures and shared them with us! You made my day prettier. Thank you.
The Fairy’s Apprentice´s last [type] ..This Moment A moment I want to pause- savor and remember
23 Linnie Joy commented:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:02 pm

WOW i love those water colours!!
24 Jess (Where My Heart Is) commented:
June 11th, 2011 at 1:13 am

What a wonderful option Jen offers her clients. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a painting of your bouquet in one’s home. Lovely…
Jess (Where My Heart Is)´s last [type] ..Photo Challenge- Day 10!
25 Jen Huang commented:
June 13th, 2011 at 5:39 pm

oh how lovely to find my work here… thank you for the beautiful post! http://www.jenhuangblog.com xoxojen
26 Monica Lee commented:
June 13th, 2011 at 11:42 pm

Holly, This was a great post! I just gave up a certain amount of “computer generated” art to go back to painting my illustrations and it made me feel so good! I can’t wait to see you in Boston!
Monica Lee´s last [type] ..Slow stitching- Slow living
27 tina commented:
June 15th, 2011 at 2:13 pm

great work! no,i don’t paint :(

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