What Grew Here

Standing as tall as the artist herself, this tulip sculpture consumed four weeks of Elyse’s life. What began as a solid poplar log (what wooden shoes are made from) was carved into a rough silhouette, then meticulously honed until the wood transformed into delicate petals and graceful, curving leaves. The refinement was so thorough that had passersby's asking if she had changed mediums entirely to achieve such organic fluidity.

Once the form was hand-sanded to a finish smoother than her hands were before taking on this project, the final week was spent "up close and personal." In an homage to the traditional Delft Blue (Delfts Blauw) pottery popularized in the 17th and 18th centuries, Elyse hand-painted intricate motifs using layers of glaze. This process honors the painstaking techniques used by Dutch artisans to replicate the appearance of fine Chinese porcelain - a luxury that was highly coveted and status-defining. By marrying the weight of timber with the aesthetic of fragile china, this piece bridges the gap between raw nature and refined heritage.