“In joy and in sadness, flowers are our constant friends.”
Fables and Flora was born out of a love of stories and flowers. Through this symbiosis there are opportunities to connect, reflect and do work that allows us to grow and learn.
Services include passions and projects workshops, art classes and artwork photography for artists.
email info@fablesandflora.com
A Chair to Remember – The journey of an Adirondack Chair as part of a Temporary Public Art Program by the City of Dublin, California https://dublin.ca.gov/. The chair named “Of Poppies and Pollinators” was designed by Vanessa Thomas. Local Artist Teresa Yue assisted with the painting and assembly process.
The design for this Chair is inspired by the flora in Dublin with the added theme of protecting pollinators vital to our planet’s well-being.
This chair design raises awareness of the important work of bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds and others.
The problem of declining populations of native pollinators is complex, and there are multiple factors at work. But population decline can be largely be attributed to habitat loss, diseases and parasites, pollution and pesticide use.
The home gardener can help support native pollinators by creating pollinator-friendly landscapes and gardens.
A total of 20 Chairs were created by local artists and are up for auction via the City of Dublin website until September 2020.
Images used in this design have all been photographed in the Dublin area by Vanessa Thomas and include:
Image 1: Wisteria from Emerald Glen Park
Wisteria in Emerald Glen Park, Dublin, California
Image 2: California Poppies in the Meadow in Scarlett Drive
A pair of Californian wild Poppies
Image 3: Baby Blue Eyes wildflowers photographed in Fallon Sports Park
A collage of Baby Blue Eyes Wildflowers
It’s been great to connect to fellow artists during shelter-in-place and some of us shared our thoughts with the Pleasanton Art League.
Our vulnerability has been highlighted in no uncertain terms in the current pandemic and rapid and complex changes have placed us in extraordinarily stressful times. Yet in the midst of it I am recalling quotes that have inspired and motivated me and I hope that by sharing them they can lighten your load a bit as well.
Pink Spring Blossoms in our neighborhood
Quote 1: The first was shared by my artist friend, Sawsan, who was making some jewelry and found an inscription on a piece of metal which read: “Every problem has a gift for you in its hands.” (Richard Bach) When I set aside my anxiety and looked for a gift in this unprecedented situation I came to realize that there were indeed gifts – closeness of family that I don’t usually get to enjoy, stepping off the hamster- wheel of meetings and events and finding quiet spaces to connect with my passions of writing and floral photography.
To read further please visit the Pleasanton Art League website and click here.
It is said that we only regret the paths left unexplored. What path is calling you in 2020?
There are no gatekeepers – pollinators can fly to any bloom they choose. You can choose to dance with your creativity – and unlike a flower, you don’t have to wait for the world to pick you.
You can pick yourself.
Passion for the things we love can take us many places. My love of flowers led me to photography which has taken me on journey of wonder and discovery and recently led me to the stage at TEDx Emerald Glen Park.
Butterflies in the Poppies:
My passions for storytelling, community and all things floral collided in a blissful moment that urged me to encourage others to follow the paths where they seek to make a difference.
If you’re waiting for a sign to take a leap out of your comfort zone then please take a moment to view my TEDx Talk – Community, Connection and the Art of Storytelling.
It’s not for everyone but it might just be for you.
PS: Flowers at the TEDx Event:
Amazing that it included a pincushion bloom from the Western Cape in South Africa! Stocks symbolize a happy life and contented existence. Orange roses represent enthusiasm, passion and gratitude. The Feverfew daisy-like flowers are a medicinal plant for treating headaches so this is a perfect TEDx bouquet!
Happy Earth Day!
Happy first day of Spring 2019 in the northern Hemisphere! Here’s a thought for today:
“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” Harriet Ann Jacobs
Happy New Year!
I am thankful for all the support and views and am sending floral greetings to all wishing you a year in which you bloom like never before!
“Some buds never flower, if we are fortunate enough to bloom, we should do so with all the enthusiasm and vigor we can muster.” Vanessa Lee Thomas
My Facebook Page has just gone over the 5400 Likes mark – and I am delighted! I also however recall the days when I posted a floral photo and got more than 1 like and was thrilled!
The “liking’ culture is complex – but I think of it like grading exam papers. There are always those who instinctively are critical and judgmental and would never give anyone an “A” as they feel it is unattainable and then there are those with rose-tinted glasses who think everyone deserves some sort of acknowledgement just for putting in the effort. So it’s no surprise that the number of followers outrank the number of likes but that’s ok.
Granted when photos are amazing I am more likely to ‘like’ them but sometimes just getting someone to share a pic of a bloom they noticed while out walking or gardening is even more beautiful. They were captivated and for a brief moment they could rest and breathe in the beauty.
If you’re new to blogging and sharing what you care about it takes time to find your tribe – it’s taken me 5 years to get this far – so don’t be discouraged – just keep shipping.
In a world where kindness, compassion and encouragement are rarely seen how hard is it for you to like the photo your friend or family member just posted about something creative they made? We can fuel each other’s endeavors to bring more beauty into the world.
I love flowers – always have and always will – they give me a chance to pause and appreciate simple moments of nature’s beauty. It’s why I share photos of them – I think my photography skills have loads of room for improvement – but I still love to share blooms that make me stop, pay attention and show appreciation.
Have a fabulously floral day!
There are times when a single bloom in a bouquet captures my attention. A combination of vibrant color and intricate details that shouts out to the universe – isn’t life wonderful!
Its also an opportunity to practice mindfulness, to pause and reflect and appreciate a moment of stillness and the times that bring us joy.
My husband recently gave me a bouquet just before Valentine’s Day and he knows I like a collection of various types of blooms and colors. The one that stood out for me was a yellow Gerbera Daisy, bringing a piece of my African homeland to my home.
This description was taken from the ProFlowers Blog “The Gerbera daisy was discovered in 1884 near Barberton, South Africa, by Scotsman Robert Jameson. While the flower’s scientific name, Gerberajamesonii, recollects the name of its founder, the meaning of its common name draws from German naturalist Traugott Gerber.”
Here are two of the photos I took which are now for sale on my FineArtAmerica site.
Photo 1: Vibrance
Photo 2: Hopes
Those of you who have been following my blog for a while are aware that I am a huge Seth Godin fan. Today on his blog he posted about a Publishing Master Class that would be taking place in his office so of course I applied! Eight people will be selected to participate but I am sure that the reach of this intensive workshop will be far wider than Seth’s office walls!
Photo 1: Unveiling
My Floral Photography has led me to my current project of the Dublin Art Collective which is about to host its first free Networking Event for Artists and Makers this Sunday, October 22.
The freedom to blog about things we care about is a remarkable opportunity and I’m interested to know from other artists and makers how blogging has influenced their creativity and the impact of being connected to other like-minded creative types. Please leave your comments below.
I will leave you with some food for thought “What’s changed is that more people than ever have a device that connects them to the town square. They have access to information, to courses, to opportunities that weren’t even imagined just twenty years ago. Twenty years! It’s an extraordinary thing to waste. And we’re mostly wasting it. Wasting it by waiting for a guarantee.” Seth Godin
Photo 2: Sunflowers
