From collecting, pressing, and drying ferns to use them in my 3D paintings, to getting them tattooed on my body (I’m up to five now!), to ensconcing them in mini resin pieces, you could say my fern obsession is pretty intense.
I actually created a few pressed framed fern compositions before leaving Hawai’i and again with my dear sweet mama for Mother’s Day last year. Since they have been such a big hit as gifts, I figured I’d make a few available for a fun music festival I’m attending as a vendor this weekend!
A number of years ago, my friend Stella and I would often buddy up when vending at local art fairs or even travel out of state together for multi-day music festivals. It was definitely a super fun lifestyle I decided to give up when I went to grad school and then moved to Hawai’i, however it was something I always hoped I could get back into lightly here and there. Luckily enough for me, Stella wound up having an extra pass for a festie she’s working this weekend in LaFayette, GA and invited me to come along!
Even luckier for me, she invited me to bring a little art along to place in the booth so I figured I’d pull out my fab fern stash, grab a few nice frames from the thrift store, and whip up a few Pressed Fern Compositions!
These are a mix of ferns found in Hawai’i, Florida, and Tennessee. I love that you can really find ferns in almost every climate, and that even though many look similar, there are literally thousands of varieties worldwide.
Wanna know what makes a fern a fern? It’s not actually the shape we all associate with it, which is what I thought for years. It just means that the seeds are located on the underside of the leaves, rather than it producing flowers. That’s it. So many different shaped leaves could all actually be ferns. Neato, huh?!?
So wish my ferns and I luck! This will be the first time I’m bringing this type of creation out into the public world, I hope people like them! The great news is that no matter what happens sales-wise, three days of outdoor music is gonna be exactly what this no-longer-quarantined Bird needs!
5.26.2021