Botanical Realism in Paper

Instagram is where the remarkable floral paper art of Marlene in Denmark caught my eye. I admire the way she doesn't shy away from, but instead embraces all stages of a plant's natural life cycle. From plump buds to fading petals and browning foliage Marlene strives to create accurate botanical examples.

Curious to know more about Marlene and her choice of paper as a medium, I asked her about the origin of her interest in paper and learned it began with origami. She was later introduced to paper flower making by a relative. In the following paragraphs, Marlene tells us about her work as a floral paper artist and what it means to her.

"I have always been deeply interested in nature and feel completely at home whenever I go for a hike or a walk outdoors. My husband sometimes loses patience with me on these walks because I often stop to examine the intricate details of a flower or plant. Nature serves as a constant source of inspiration for me in my paper artwork."

"I enjoy challenging myself when working with paper, striving to make my creations as realistic as possible. To achieve this, I use a variety of paper materials, including crepe paper and handmade Japanese and Nepalese papers. I hand-paint the paper or dip it into watercolor solutions to achieve the desired effects. I always work with high-quality coloring materials to ensure excellent color fastness."

fingers holding stem of paper dandelion puff ball

"When creating a piece, I begin by researching the flower, plant, or perhaps an insect that I want to replicate, often spending time online gathering information. However, I prefer to have a live specimen to study so I can create my own templates. Sometimes, it takes me weeks to complete a new project because I dedicate so much time to studying and testing different techniques."

"Making paper flowers hasn’t always been part of my life. I started in 2021, during a difficult time that forced me to slow down and reevaluate my perspective and way of living. At some point, I felt a strong urge to be creative—something I hadn’t felt in years, likely because I had suppressed it. Creating paper flowers brought a sense of peace and true joy back into my life, allowing me to reconnect with the satisfaction of making something with my hands."

"After college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. By chance, I began working in IT, focusing on support, system management, and process management. I worked hard, excelled at my job, and continued in that field for many years. But over time, the constant high workload left me feeling stressed and empty, as if something was missing. I realized I wasn’t truly happy."

"As a child, I had been quite creative, but somewhere along the way, I lost that connection. Now, I work much less—still part-time in IT—but I have plenty of time to focus on creating paper flowers and enjoying nature. I am rediscovering my creativity (and myself) through working with paper, shaping it into delicate flowers. It has been a deeply healing experience, and I feel a quiet sense of peace and happiness have returned to me."

"This process has not only helped me slow down and find joy in the small details, but it has also taught me to appreciate imperfection. In nature, no two flowers are ever identical, and I’ve learned to embrace that in my work—and in life. So when I make paper flowers I try to make some of these imperfections in my creations."

fingers holding stem of paper coral charm peony

"Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing as an artist and challenging myself with more complex creations. I sometimes dream of exhibiting my work, sharing the beauty and appreciation of nature through paper with others. I also think about teaching workshops or collaborating with other artists to inspire more people to reconnect with their own creativity."

"Ultimately, I want to keep exploring this blend of art and nature, always seeking new ways to push the boundaries of what I can do with paper. It’s a journey, and I’m excited to see where it takes me."