Artist Statement

I create art with local flowers to capture the beauty of a moment and the feeling it holds. Each bloom is thoughtfully collected from the Annapolis Valley and nearby flower farms, then slowly pressed over several weeks to preserve its natural texture and colour. This process allows me to create original compositions that reflect the rhythm of the seasons and the stories tied to them.

Inspired by the East Coast’s gardens, landscapes, and wildlife, I combine traditional flower pressing with my background in graphic design to create work that feels both timeless and grounded in place. Whether it’s a wildflower from a morning walk or a bouquet from a special day, each piece carries a sense of connection to nature, a memory, and to home.

My art is a reminder to pause, notice what’s around us, and appreciate the beauty in each season.

Biography

Ashley Foster is a pressed flower artist and graphic designer based in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. Since founding Seek & Bloom in 2018, she has merged her love of flowers with over 20 years of design experience to create original pressed botanical artwork, fine art prints, and greeting cards. Using locally grown and foraged flowers, Ashley carefully presses each botanical in her home studio, preserving their colour, shape, and sentiment.

Her work draws inspiration from the East Coast’s vibrant gardens, landscapes, and wildlife, celebrating the changing seasons and the emotional connection between nature and memory. Designs range from whimsical garden scenes to iconic regional symbols like lobsters and lighthouses.

Rooted in rural life and community, Ashley's work reflects a deep appreciation for sustainability, storytelling, and slow, intentional artmaking. When not in her studio, she enjoys time on the lake with her family and exploring the outdoors that continue to inspire her craft.