An Interview with Pressed Flower Artist: Ellie Roden

We are excited to introduce you to Pressed flower artist Ellie Roden, who is one of the artists features on our Pressed Flower Gallery.  Ellie was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us.

What's the first artwork you ever sold?
 
The very first piece was sold at an art show benefiting our local health center.  It was a horizontal triptych with 3 different blue flowers (forget-me-nots, bachelor buttons, and delphinium) in each window. They were in a 3 pane, double white mat with a silver frame. Lots of local people attended this show but I was thrilled that a total stranger from out of state purchased the piece!

How has your practice changed over time?   

Initially, I was making only original pieces and selling them at art/craft shows.  Then I began making cards, bookmarks and prints to offer less costly items to customers.   While shows are very profitable and great exposure,  they are physically demanding and  time consuming.       

In recent years I have been focusing more on internet sales, and selling my work in shops and galleries.  Also, I really enjoy  doing presentations and workshops for garden clubs and other organizations.  There are still 2 or 3 favorite shows I continue to do each year but as I grow older my interest in doing shows has definitely waned.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?  

“It’s all in the framing”  I was once told. How true it is! Framing can enhance or detract from a piece of art.  A so-so piece of art can look wonderful in the right mat and frame. And a wonderful work of art can be easily overlooked if it is in a cheap looking frame with the wrong mat.

Framing is one area where I never cut corners. After all the time spent growing flowers, pressing them, arranging and gluing them to paper, I want to present them in the best way possible. Quality framing does that. I always use conservation glass (UV resistent) and sometimes even splurge on museum glass.

Thank you Ellie!  Please read more about Ellie Roden and her beautiful work in our gallery.