An Artistic Exploration of Women, Nature, and Resilience

I originally developed this concept for a museum’s local artist initiative, hoping to bring the exhibition to life in a public space. While I wasn’t selected for the opportunity, I remain incredibly proud of this idea and am excited to explore it further. Instead of a large-scale museum installation, I plan to develop these concepts into more manageable shadow box pieces, continuing to celebrate the intersection of femininity, nature, and history through my work.

This series challenges the historical trivialization of floral imagery as merely decorative or "frivolous," reclaiming it as a powerful symbol of resilience, creativity, and autonomy. This project celebrates five trailblazing women who used flowers and plants to defy societal expectations and shape history. By spotlighting these figures, I hope to encourage viewers to reconsider the value of traditionally feminine aesthetics and embrace curiosity about the legacies of these extraordinary women.

Each of these women brought their own unique contributions to history, intertwining their lives with botanical elements in remarkable ways. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree, integrated Omaha healing traditions with Western medicine, treating both white and nonwhite patients. Her piece will incorporate plants used in traditional Omaha remedies. Harriet Tubman, widely celebrated for her role in the Underground Railroad, was also an expert herbalist, using medicinal plants to aid fugitives and Union soldiers. Her portrait will highlight these elements.

Akiko Yosano, a Japanese feminist and poet, used floral imagery to express female sexuality and emotional depth, and her piece will feature symbolic blooms from her poetry. Edith Wharton, an author who revived and documented the Victorian Language of Flowers, used coded floral meanings to communicate powerful themes that could not be spoken aloud. Her work will be woven into her portrait. Finally, Gertrude Stein, a central figure in the avant-garde art movement, frequently used floral motifs in her poetry to reflect the creative energy of her artistic community.

As a watercolor artist with a special interest in collage, I plan to bring these women’s stories to life through a series of shadow box pieces. Each element in the artwork will be individually hand-drawn, painted, cut out, and collaged together to add depth and visual interest. The layered compositions will create a dynamic experience, revealing and concealing different aspects as viewers move past them.

Although this project was originally envisioned as a museum exhibition, I see great potential in adapting it into a more intimate format. By scaling the work into shadow boxes, I can create personal and accessible pieces that continue to tell these important stories. I’m eager to begin this next phase of the project and share the journey with you.

Stay tuned for updates as I start creating these pieces! If you’d like to follow along, keep an eye on my social media and website for progress shots and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the process. Sign up for my newsletter below to stay updated on my journey and be the first to see new pieces as they come to life!

Collage, Creativity, and Coming Full Circle

In college, I first became obsessed with mixed media and collage. I loved the process of painting textures, cutting, layering, and assembling elements in new and unexpected ways. But no matter how much I enjoyed the journey, I struggled with the final product. I was never quite satisfied with how my collage pieces came together, and in the structured environment of art school—particularly within the illustration department—I felt an overwhelming pressure to develop a single, cohesive aesthetic.

It was explicitly emphasized that your art had to look one way, that it had to be instantly recognizable as yours. It was an immediate response to any piece turned in: "How does this fit in your style?" and "How will your style stand out in the industry?" I internalized that belief, convinced that I needed to refine my style into a single, cohesive approach—one that I am still actively working to unlearn more than a decade later. After some feedback from professors and peers, I gradually stepped away from collage techniques and leaned more into digital art. Eventually, that path led me to where I am today: traditional watercolor painting.

Even though I let go of collage, I never stopped loving it. I continued to admire mixed media artists who seamlessly incorporated collage into their work, marveling at the way they made it their own.

It stayed in the back of my mind, like an old dream waiting to be revisited.

Over the past year, I’ve slowly dipped my toe back into the world of mixed media. It started with creating pressed flower pieces in double glass frames. Combining my drawings and paintings with vibrant, delicate pieces of nature felt like magic. Not only did I love making them, but they also resonated with people at markets and shows. Their reception gave me the encouragement I needed to explore further.

I ordered a few shadow boxes and started experimenting with larger-scale collage pieces, assembling entire works from elements I created separately and then brought together in a layered composition. It felt like coming home to a part of myself I had left behind.

I’ve heard the saying that in your 30s, you unapologetically reclaim the things you loved as your younger self, and that sentiment fully resonates with me. This era of my life is about embracing the art I once dreamed of making, free from the constraints of expectation and artistic “shoulds.”

And the most beautiful part? The support and love these pieces have received. It reminds me that creativity is an evolving journey—one where we often find our way back to the things that set our hearts on fire in the first place.

If you’ve ever set aside a creative passion because you felt like it didn’t fit, I encourage you to revisit it. You might just find that it still has a place in your story.

2024 Reflections

The past few months have been a season of exploration and growth in my creative journey. I've been experimenting with new techniques and learning more about my craft, allowing myself the freedom to create without the confines of labels or expectations I once placed on myself. It feels liberating to step away from fitting into boxes and simply embrace the process of making art for the joy of it.

For now, I’m taking a break from working larger markets to dedicate more time in the studio. While I may return to Forsyth Park toward the end of the month, my current focus is on nurturing my creativity and diving deeper into my work.

Part of this exploration includes venturing into new mediums. I’ve started a ceramics wheel class, which has been an exciting (and humbling!) experience, and I’m also revisiting collage techniques that I haven’t explored in years. These new practices are teaching me patience, sparking fresh ideas, and reminding me of the endless possibilities within the world of art.

As I continue this path of growth and discovery, I’m grateful for your support and for the opportunity to share these moments with you. Here's to creating without boundaries and finding beauty in the unexpected!

Welcome

Hello and thank you for joining me on this creative journey! I'm Cat Johnston Floyd, a watercolor artist inspired by the beauty of nature, the magic of everyday moments, and the fluidity of the medium itself. Through this newsletter, I’ll share exclusive glimpses into my creative process, updates on new works, behind-the-scenes stories, and upcoming events.

Whether you're an art enthusiast, a fellow creator, or simply seeking inspiration, I’m thrilled to have you here. Let’s celebrate the vibrant world of watercolor together!

Warmly,
Cat Johnston Floyd