Today we’d like to introduce you to Dionne Anderson.
Dionne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey to flowering began unintentionally. Life as I’d known it had recently been turned upside down. Faced with a major and unexpected change, I was soul searching and trying to find my way in a new reality. I started working part-time at a friend’s boutique and would go to the grocery store weekly to purchase flowers for the shop. I found myself getting really into the process of choosing the different combinations of flowers to arrange each week. I began photographing the arrangements and sharing them on my social media. Another friend who had an upcoming wedding had noticed the flowers and asked me if I would do the arrangements for her reception. I was nervous but excited and as I went through the process of designing and creating the florals, I felt like I had finally found “my thing.” Weekly trips to the Downtown LA flower market for inspiration became part of my regular routine.
Having studied theater with a focus in Costume Design, I had always considered myself a creative person with a good eye for color and design but I’d never thought of myself as an artist. I found my voice as an artist through flowers and creating with flowers became incredibly healing as I navigated my new life. I had (and still have) a great job working for Heath Ceramics where I do visual merchandising and sales but I knew that I wanted to continue working and creating with flowers. So I started my business, Arrange Floral.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I believe is common amongst many artists and creatives I have spent a lot of time contemplating whether or not I would want my art to be what I rely on completely to provide my income/livelihood. I’m still on the fence about that but happy with where things are now and I am certain that I will continue to play and work with flowers always. Ever since I found my way to flowers (or perhaps they found me?) I’ve always said that flowers saved my life.
Let’s talk about business. Tell us about Arrange Floral – what should we know?
I am an independent floral designer working from my home studio in the Silver Lake/Echo Park area. Arrange Floral is available for events, weddings, floral styling, and weekly deliveries for homes and businesses in the greater Los Angeles and Southern California region. I’m happy to flower for occasions in all of LA, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, and beyond. I’m originally from Washington State and love to travel for events in Washington, Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest region.
Modern, classic and unexpected combinations are my specialty. I love finding ways to incorporate all the common and not so common flowers and greenery to create beautiful bouquets, arrangements and installations. It’s all about color and texture and how they complement and contrast one another to please the eye. In my designs I enjoy finding ways to create shape, movement and balance with asymmetry. Each and every creation is made thoughtfully and with love.
Doing my part to ease negative impact on our environment is very important to me. I choose to avoid using floral foam (a common and very toxic product used in floral design) and prefer to use seasonal and local flowers as much as possible.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
To simply remain present and true to my authentic self and therefore, be living and working from a sense of deep purpose and meaning that will then be reflected in my creations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arrangefloral.com/
- Phone: (310) 968-3765
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arrangefloral/?hl=en (@arrangefloral)
Image Credit:
Duran Castro
Shane Coker
Jenavieve Belair
Lauren Naylor
Dionne Anderson
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