Miniature Pressed Flowers At WAA

WASHINGTON DEPOT — The Upstairs Gallery at Washington Art Association will showcase the fine miniature pressed flower collages of Lily, Ljiljana StejicVukovic of Belgrade, Yugoslavia for the month of June.

Ms StejicVukovic is an exhibiting member being sponsored by her best friend Marija McCarthy, a WAA member and teacher.

Ms StejicVukovic’s delicate miniatures are constructed of natural pressed materials, which she arranges in eloquent “collage paintings.” Her elegant symmetry and choice of color and texture enhance each delicate piece.

“I adore nature and especially flora. I am always saddened as I pick a flower from its natural habitat, but this thought consoles me: that pressed, the flower will live longer than its own life span would be — even as it assumes a new purpose, form, and color,” says the artist.

Ms StejicVukovic was born more than 60 years ago in Belgrade, and grew up loving nature. She trained to be a professional cartographer, doing fine precision work during a long career. This fed her passion for creating miniature designs out of pressed flowers.

“My imagination is mainly charged by floral forms as they emerge from a press and that is the most exciting moment in my work. My husband was a sculptor and was my best critic and adviser in my work,” Ms StejicVukovic said.

The public is always welcome to browse through the galleries at Washington Art Association, including The Upstairs Gallery. Gift items are usually available in addition to the featured artwork.

The Washington Art Association gallery is in Bryan Memorial Plaza, Route 47 in Washington Depot. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday noon to 5 pm. For information or directions call the gallery at 860-868-2878.