The power of flowers: how The Roseologist is promoting well-being and meaningful purpose
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For local artist Rhiannon Berry, working with florals goes beyond expressing her creativity – it’s also been an avenue for self-discovery and personal healing.
Beginning her practice as a form of self-care after overcoming serious health issues, while she uses flowers to create beautiful works of art, her passion has bloomed into a business: The Roseologist.
And now – in a true show of flower power – Rhiannon is using workshops and mentoring programs to highlight creative engagement as a form of therapy.
“I’ve always been interested in creative endeavours. Growing up in Canberra, I spent a lot of time at the National Gallery. My mum is a historian, so I spent a lot of time in historic places. I’ve always been interested in art, design, craft…but floristry stole my heart,” says Rhiannon.
“The choice of using florals [as a medium] comes from a different side of my story.”
Experiencing a significant health crisis that saw her almost lose her life, Rhiannon realised that she needed to make some big changes to create a more fulfilling and meaningful life for herself. Unable to return to work full-time, she started looking for things that gave her life purpose – that’s when she re-discovered her passion for art, craft, and design.
Photography: Lauren Sutton.
For her, the path to self-discovery was paved with flowers.
“I really craved a direction and that sense of meaningful purpose. I created my own routine of considered daily creative practice,” she says.
“It was transformative. It was a game changer for me, and that’s where the floristry side came into it. I want to work with natural materials – I wanted to do something uplifting, and creative, and was going to give me my mojo back. And it did…I realised other people would be in the same situation.”
Holding workshops tailored to the specific needs of participants, as The Roseologist, Rhiannon works with participants ranging from business owners dealing with burnout to dementia patients, with ages ranging from teenagers to seniors.
Also collaborating with healthcare professionals – including an occupational therapist – to enhance her programs, and facilitating participants supported by the NDIS, she leans into all sorts of creative endeavours, ranging from floristry workshops to craft activities.
And according to Rhiannon, the benefits are endless.
Helping with stress reduction, mood improvement, and skill development, she also says that getting creative can help people move towards a more empowered future.
“I’ve seen this in my own life and with participants, and there’s growing scientific evidence to support it. For instance, some General Practitioners now offer ‘social prescriptions’ to address loneliness and support those with conditions like dementia,” she says.
“My program offers creative activities in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment, allowing participants to flourish at their own pace. It’s a true joy to see people open up and transform through our weekly activities.”
Photography: Lauren Sutton.
Currently offering DIY kits for those unable to attend in-person sessions (which also make a great Christmas present) and planning on expanding her workshops, Rhiannon just wants to share the beauty and benefits of working with flowers and other creative mediums.
Planting the seeds to help The Roseolgist grow into an even bigger business, she says that she’d love more people to experience the power of finding well-being and meaningful purpose through the simple process of making something beautiful.
“Participating in a meaningful purpose and having a considered creative practice really has made my life so much richer,” she says.
“I’d love more people to experience this sort of thing.”
For more information, visit theroseologist.com.
Feature image: Photographer Lauren Sutton and artist Rhiannon Berry at their collaborative exhibition, Wildflower.
