Floriography in History

Throughout history, the flower has captivated mankind and has been an integral part of cultures around the world – from Cleopatra’s famous encounter with Antony on a bed of roses, to the Middle Ages use of flowers and herbs for their “magical properties”, to the Asian and Indian use of the lotus to represent both gods and the human soul.

Floriography in History

Throughout history, the flower has captivated mankind and has been an integral part of cultures around the world – from Cleopatra’s famous encounter with Antony on a bed of roses, to the Middle Ages use of flowers and herbs for their “magical properties”, to the Asian and Indian use of the lotus to represent both gods and the human soul.

In the Victorian era, flowers became a common method of communication, expressing emotions one dared not speak aloud. In fact, entire dictionaries were written on the subject of this floriography, or the language and meaning of flowers. Flowers have always had a unique ability to speak to the human spirit.

Elizabeth Shatner’s Flowrosophy ^®

Building upon the historical use of flowers as a means of symbolism and communication, Elizabeth Shatner has brought a new concept to her art, called Flowrosophy®. Elizabeth’s art form connects the flow of philosophical thoughts to the art inherent in nature. She has found that the photographing of something as seemingly simple as a flower can open the mind's eye to beauty and meanings sometimes hidden in nature.  Flowrosophy invites healing meditation on nature’s beauty, allowing us to become uplifted and re-energized.  

Elizabeth’s Photography and Digital Painting

When photographing for this collection, Elizabeth utilizes only naturally occurring, unadulterated ambient light. Each image is truly a unique moment in time, never to occur exactly the same way again. Not only does Elizabeth offer a unique look at nature through her camera lens; she also highlights and enhances what nature presents us through digital painting.  An emerging art form, digital painting utilizes traditional painting techniques and applies them digitally, using a stylus and sensory pad instead of a brush and canvas. This technology allows Elizabeth to convey what she sees and feels in that moment in time, adding layers of possible meaning for the observer.

Crystal Light Series

Crystal Light is a portrait series of a bloom from Elizabeth’s pet orchid. Having passed its prime, the bloom fell from the stem. As Elizabeth prepared to pick it up and discard it, she noticed that a beam of sunlight, shining through a crystal vase next to the flower, was producing a beautiful spectrum of color. She gently moved the bloom into that expanded light, and the beauty of this wilted bloom was revealed. The vase itself was an award given to the Shatners by the Starlight foundation for their philanthropic works. The positive energy, given freely by the sun, along with a gift connected to the altruistic giving of one’s self, merged to convey the message of the flower. There are times in our life when we may seem less than we were before; but when the light is found and received, we uncover eternal love, beauty and grace … the perfection that lies beyond the initial perception.

In fact, the powerful impact that the first Crystal Light prints had on viewers inspired Elizabeth to create the "Into The Light" interactive community art project, designed to combat the modern epidemic of loneliness in America!

Note that these three Crystal Light images are spiritual siblings, and are usually displayed as an Empowered Triptych. However, they may also be displayed and purchased as individuals.

Crystal Light 6

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Crystal Light 2

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Crystal Light 1

Special Inquiries and Bespoke Pieces