SPOTLIGHT

To speak a heartfelt sentiment tangibly, say it with flowers. Their life span is short, but North Palm Beach resident Stephanie Summers found a way to imbue the transitory nature of flowers with a beautiful permanence.

“I began painting birth flowers when my husband and I lost our first pregnancy and I wanted a tangible piece of art to honor the significance of that sweet life,” Summers says. “I never promoted these birth flower paintings as a sign of remembrance, but I have been part of many families’ stories as they share why they want specific flowers hanging in their homes.”

Her birth flower paintings can represent anything from loss to anniversaries, and she creates “birth flower bouquets” to bring together various moments into a meaningful art piece. The birth month flowers— for example, lily of the valley for May, marigolds for October, and holly for December—are painted together as a bouquet to commemorate special people or occasions.

“Birth flowers represent significant moments in time, whether that be a loved one’s birthday, a brave season in your life, or a memory,” adds Summers. “It has become a passion of mine to create significant and emotional pieces of art. I enjoy watching different moments in time become a beautiful floral collection.” (oursummers.com) –Skye Sherman