Abundance
Field Studies Flora: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected
Field Studies Flora, a New York-based floral studio, challenges conventional notions of beauty by embracing the unexpected. Alex Crowder, founder of the studio, incorporate “invasive” species and overlooked elements like fallen branches and lichen into their stunning creations. This approach not only redefines floral design but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world, encouraging us to see the beauty in the often-overlooked. Recently, Field Studies Flora collaborated with photographer Marco Galloway on a unique still life editorial about abundance for Blumenhaus. This project further highlights their innovative approach to floral design and their commitment to showcasing the beauty of the natural world in all its forms.
Portrait of Alex Crowder by @anastasiiaduvallie
“In nature, abundance can mean a multitude of things. It can equate to balance in the ecosystem, confirming that all the plants and animals are in harmony with each other and that there is enough to go around for everyone. Or — it can be a clue, warning us of irregularity, where something isn’t quite as it should be. When a plant becomes overly abundant at the cost of others, we label it as “invasive,” a species that’s hogging the resources of the landscape to the detriment of its neighbors. The thing is, there’s a fly in the ointment of this kind of categorization as it isn’t as hard and fast as it sounds. Just the opposite, the state of invasiveness is a dance, malleable and collaborative, with elements moving in and out of rhythm with the natural world. As the environment changes, the circumstances follow suit and all the plants, animals, and humans do what they can in order to survive and thrive. In surveying this idea, Field Studies spends a considerable amount of time and attention on the oddballs that fall under the invasive umbrella. We constantly come back to one question: what do we have a lot of right now that could afford a lessening in numbers? Whether this mindful sourcing is done from what we currently have in the studio or procured from the fields or flower market, we consider what needs to be cut back, what could benefit from a trim? This question is typically followed by: how can we draw attention to a plentiful plant that rarely gets showcased in floristry? Weird weeds, twisting branches, hungry invasives. These are the plants which flank our walks and drives as we move through the world, mostly going unnoticed. We’d like to change that and invite you into new ways of seeing these oft unseen and incredibly clever neighbors of ours.” Alex Crowder
Partridge pea
Fast spreading, these weeds are part of the legume species, native to most of the eastern United States. Their buttery yellow flowers are favorite rest areas for bees and other pollinators.
Echinacea
Also known as Coneflower, this plant belongs to the Daisy family and has been used for centuries as a remedy for the common cold.
Datura
Misunderstood and mystical, the trumpeted flowers of the Datura plant was a favorite subject of Georgia O’Keefe.
Pokeweed
It’s understood that Native Americans once used the purple ink of pokeweed berries, a reddish juice, as a natural dye.
Clematis
Enthusiastic growers, the vines of the Clematis plant belong to the Buttercup family and can often be found scaling fences and walls in the city and other plant neighbors in the country.
Sunflower
The common Sunflower is a stranger to almost no one. Harvested for its oily seeds, it’s a crowd favorite that’s as “useful” as it is beautiful.
Aster
Like its cousin the thistle, and like the daisy and sunflower, the Aster is one of the most civilized of flower peoples (as explained in The Book of Wildflowers). Once dependent upon the wind to carry their pollen, this clever plant evolved to eventually employ armies of insects to spread their business all around the world. They're happiest in swamps, moist fields and along roadsides.
Field Studies Flora @fieldstudiesflora
Text & creative direction - Alex Crowder @alexwcrowder
Editorial pictures - Marco Galloway @marco_galloway
Special thanks to Georgina Rose @georgeforshort