Famed painter Henri Matisse once opined, “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” More true words could not be spoken when it comes to a small pressed floral art shop tucked behind a bright pink door on Roches Street in Limerick, Ireland.
No matter the season, the pressed flower studio owned by artist Nell Stritch is lined with canvases filled with a profusion of carefully preserved blooms. Some of the pieces offered are crafted from posies harvested from Nell’s own garden, while others are bespoke, fashioned from bouquets brides have entrusted to her skilled hands and keen eye for design. In addition to bridal keepsakes, the artisan also creates coasters, notebooks, and a fine art print collection.
Nell’s love of flowers began early in life, as she helped her grandmother, Nancy Lawless, in the garden. “She was the one who first showed me how to press petals between the pages of heavy books, and I was mesmerized,” says the botanical artist. “I’ve always been drawn to the idea that flowers carry stories, moments worth holding onto, and pressing them felt like a way to stop time.”
While still in school, Nell worked at a florist shop and frequently received requests from people searching for a way to continue enjoying special arrangements. Realizing there was a market for floral mementos, she opened her own enterprise about seven years ago and now takes great joy in her craft.
Since it often takes many weeks for tender buds to dry, great patience is required to complete a composition. But for Nell, there’s nothing that compares to handing a finished piece to a bride and seeing her reaction. “Flowers hold memories,” she says. “Preserving them allows people to relive a moment long after the petals would have faded.”
Text: Audra Shalles
Photography: Nell Stritch
