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The 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show, “Passport to the World,” presented a unique opportunity for me. I was honored to be asked by AIFD’s Northeast Regional chair to participate in the group’s interpretation of the Zulu culture of South Africa.

I chose to create a one-of-a-kind mask, viewing it as a personal challenge and a vehicle to express my passion for art. At the 2009 flower show, my contribution to AIFD’s exhibit, which focused on the fashion district of Milan, was 20 pairs of couture inspired shoes; all created using natural materials and permanent botanicals. Extremely well received by the public and a personal best for me, the shoes would be a tough act to follow.

When creating the mask, my love of fashion once again played a starring role in my design and approach to workmanship. Like fashion designers, I excel at highly detailed, exacting work. Oscar de la Renta, among others, is an inspiration, and I channeled his creative genius for this piece. Like Oscar’s couture, the final result was highly embellished and no attention to detail was spared.

Materials were selected based on texture, color, uniqueness and surface coverage ability. Research of the Zulu culture, as well as sensitivity to these materials, provided inspiration for the design. Work began as a simple sketch to generalize shape and form, but quickly grew in complexity as inspiration dictated. The mask evolved from its very rough-hewn and primitive conception, to a piece of polished and perfected art.

The entire project took over 400 hours to create. The mask was a labor of love, and I was rewarded by sharing my passion with hundreds of thousands of viewers who, like me, find beauty and pleasure in the inspirational world of flowers.