News Summary
Chattanooga’s Lin Feagans merges art and nature by preserving the beauty of flowers through innovative techniques. Her creations tell stories tied to significant moments in people’s lives, showcasing her passion for floral preservation. Specializing in custom commissions, she ensures that memories attached to flowers are preserved long after the petals have faded. With a commitment to minimizing flower waste, Feagans invites art lovers to connect emotionally with each piece of her floral story.
Chattanooga Artist Lin Feagans Revives Memories Through Floral Art Preservation
Chattanooga is home to a colorful and creative artist who is making a name for herself by celebrating the beauty of flowers in an innovative way. Lin Feagans has a passion for flowers that shines through in her art, as she breathes new life into blooms that hold special memories for countless people.
For Feagans, flowers are more than just pretty petals; they are links to significant life events. Her favored blooms like gerber daisies, spray roses, and Queen Anne’s lace bring her joy, but she insists there isn’t a flower she dislikes. This genuine love for flora drives her mission of preserving the stories that flowers tell, whether it’s a tender bridal bouquet or a solemn funeral arrangement.
Growing up, Feagans had a unique relationship with nature. At her grandmother’s campground, she delighted in collecting ferns and assorted flowers, carefully pressing them in books. The tale of her childhood reflects the roots of her affinity for flowers, leading her to one day pursue a degree in outdoor education. Following that, the dream of working with flowers never faded, eventually prompting her to start her own art business, Wanderlust and Wolf, eight years ago.
What sets Feagans apart is her dedication to flower pressing and preservation. Her work includes stunning creations like resin jewelry filled with pressed flowers and beautifully framed art pieces showcasing an impressive assortment of 60 to 80 different flower types. It’s a visual feast that draws viewers in, inviting them to connect with the emotional significance behind each petal.
Interestingly, around 80% of her work is commissioned, with custom flower preservation being key. These projects often revolve around important life events, ensuring that memories stay alive long after the flowers have wilted. Feagans employs a variety of methods in her preservation process, utilizing materials such as plastic, paper, wool, and cotton to get the best results.
One of her techniques includes microwaving flowers to dry them, along with pressing them under heavy books — a method that might remind some of childhood crafts. There’s also the option to use silica gel, which helps maintain the flowers’ three-dimensional shape, allowing them to truly pop in their preserved form. These techniques provide a fascinating glimpse into the intricate world of flower preservation, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Issues like brittleness, color change, and even mold can be pitfalls in the process.
However, Feagans is no novice. Drawing from her experience, she’s adept at color-correcting her floral creations, which she compares to the delicate art of applying makeup. Every preserved piece not only looks stunning, it also tells a compelling story, enabling viewers to feel the emotions associated with the flowers.
Proactive about her environmental impact, Feagans is on a mission to minimize flower waste. It’s astonishing to think that millions of pounds of flowers land in landfills every year after events. With her work, she seeks not only to beautify but also to educate others about the value of plants and the importance of protecting them. Each floral piece she creates serves as a visual reminder of flowers’ often-overlooked potential.
Through her art, Feagans aims to ensure that the stories tied to flowers are told long after their natural beauty has faded away. Each piece is like a whisper from the past, allowing flowers to ‘speak’ to anyone who encounters them. If you want to explore her incredible work further, check out her website at wanderlustandwolf.com and follow her on social media.
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Petal Peddler – Chattanooga-Based Lin Feagans is In
- Wikipedia: Floral Design
- Times Free Press: Stretching the Canvas – Chattanooga is Broadening
- Google Search: Flower Preservation
- Chattanooga Pulse: Floral Variegations on a Theme
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flower
- Nooga Today: Farmers Markets in Chattanooga, TN
- Google News: Chattanooga Artists
