Pressed and Preserved

Capturing the ephemeral loveliness of rare orchids, colorful wildflowers, and lush ferns is artist Lauren Lachance’s passion. She presses and hand-tints plants using the traditional French herbier technique, to preserve their delicate nature and transform them into works of art.

Plants and flowers are a way of life for the Austin, Texas-based artist. Among her favorites? “All the old-fashioned heirloom flowers make my heart sing,” she says. “Peonies, hydrangeas, lilacs, and, of course, damask roses.”

“I walk into our studio and smell and see rows and rows of watering cans bursting with cream roses and hydrangeas,” Lauren says. “Fragrant buckets of lilacs and peonies lining the studio walls in early June are pure ecstasy.”

Growing in pots, mounted on boards and framed, and even tucked among the pages of storybooks—petals, leaves, and stems are everywhere in her home and studio, above.

Lauren translates her fascination with botanicals into artfully arranged keepsakes to be treasured for generations. What was once a childhood pastime has become her life’s work. “I love working with plants,” she says. “And I love the joy that comes from being surrounded by them daily.”

“Clip something small and simple,” Lauren advises, “press it between the pages of whatever is handy, and peek in on it every now and then for a couple of weeks. Attach it to paper with spray adhesive or hand-applied glue.”

For an at-home version of botanical pressings, Lauren recommends using pansies, violets, ferns, kitchen herbs, leaves, and grasses.

Text Katie Farmand
Photography Kimberly Finkel Davis

To learn more about Lauren Lachance and her studio, see “Pressed and Preserved” on page 51 of the March/April 2013 issue of Victoria.