Falls Church Arts: ‘Purple Meadow’ Receives People’s Choice Award in All Member Show M-Z

When Falls Church Arts (FCA) puts on an all-member show, gallery-goers are guaranteed to see world-class artworks in the mix.
FCA’s most recent People’s Choice Award for Quynh D. Nguyen’s pressed floral artwork “Purple Meadow” in the gallery’s mixed-media All Member M-Z show – ending this Sunday, Aug. 18 – serves as a splendid example of the best-of-the-best on display.

A specialist in paper flower works, Nguyen’s craft is all about playing with the fine lines of beauty between the natural and the constructed. Her “Purple Meadow” submittal features a soothing array of pressed live florals, but her many paper flower installations look as natural as can be.
“I love preserving something as short-lived as flowers to make them last forever and to showcase their beauty," she says about her award-winning artwork "Purple Meadow." "Each petal and leaf were carefully pressed and reconstructed to capture their vibrant colors and texture.”
“Purple Meadow” is available at Falls Church Arts for $150.

Nguyen has over 20,000 followers on her Pink and Posey Instagram account where she provides tutorials and vlog posts. And, she recently published a book with Blue Star Press entitled, “The New Art of Paper Flowers: The Complete Guide to Crafting Gorgeous Crepe Paper Flowers.” On Amazon, readers are invited to “delve into the enchanting art of lifelike floral design…. Whether you're a novice looking to discover a gratifying new hobby or a seasoned crafter seeking inspiration, this all-inclusive handbook will equip you to cultivate lush, long-lasting blooms using colorful crepe paper."
Receiving commissions from around the world, Nguyen has also garnered high praises from many major patrons. “I had an opportunity to work with Nordstrom for a photo shoot that involved Gucci floral shoes and Valentino bags,” she says on her website. “I got a chance to play with my paper flowers, to style and make those products shine for a marketing ad. What a fun day that was!”
Caroline Tran of Seattle asked Nguyen to “create a paper floral floating installation,” giving her “free reign to make something magical.” So, she created a hexagonal frame – based on her favorite shape – upon which she “trail[ed] gold leaves and summer blooms…” She knew she wanted the model to “carry a non-traditional floral bouquet, so [she] made an intricate branch for her to carry.”

At the Anaheim Convention Center, she was commissioned to create a trade booth for the Herb Pharm for the Natural Products Expo West. So she “created thousands of botanical plants and florals,” and “incorporat[ed] pollinators into [the] installation.” Her patron, Sarah Simon, said of her work, “Her art is beautiful; you can feel her love of flowers in every petal she creates.”

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The Falls Church Independent has published several stories on Falls Church Arts:




The gallery of Falls Church Arts is at 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church. It’s open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Artworks can also be viewed online at www.fallschurcharts.org. All pieces can be purchased at the gallery or on the website.
By Christopher Jones
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