Library Art Exhibit - February

It literally means, "pressed flowers”, in Japanese. There are traditionally many different methods for pressing flowers. My methods include using absorbent paper, microwave oven, silica gels or disposable heated bags. Whatever method you may use, the most important thing to remember is to remove the moisture and oxygen from the flowers as quickly as possible, with the first several hours being the most critical. The entire pressing process generally takes two to four days, depending on the moisture content of the flowers that are being pressed. Once they become crispy dry, consider yourself one hundred percent successful in pressing flowers. 

After pressing, I carefully set the fragile pressed flowers on my card. Some flowers seem to call for a simple white or cream background while others benefit from using watercolor, pastel, or Japanese Washi color paper to enhance the image. In any case, it is my challenge to see nature as it is, not interfere, and let the flowers express their own beauty. When the flowers are successfully pressed and their quality preserved, there is not much more for me to do. 

Over the past three years I have designed close to one thousand different floral images for the cards that reflect all seasons. My greatest joy has been sharing the beauty of Oshibana, pressed flowers with many people. I hope to continue doing so for many more years. 

In Gassho (gratitude), 

Norimi Kusanagi

Website: www.norimispressedflowers.com

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