We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mal Strunk a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mal, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I created an intention filled photoshoot for myself when I first started designing with flowers. I designed my first flower crown for myself and wrapped myself in purple fabric on top of the coolest cliff. My incredible friend and the best photographer, Cara Lindsey, made me feel so comfortable and powerful! The photos from this photoshoot became so meaningful for me and I loved seeing myself as art for the first time.

This photoshoot inspired me to create intentional and meaningful photoshoots for others to express themselves! I call these photoshoots, “Healing in the Blooms”. Being able to see others and witness their vulnerability has been so impactful for me. I love listening to their stories in their own words and then being able to translate it into a flower crown and flower tattoos (temporary creations that stick right onto your body).

Sharing my art with them and watching them bloom during their photoshoot is my favorite part. I’ve seen the most beautiful moments during my Healing in the Blooms shoots. I feel that creating for people in intimate and meaningful ways is my soul’s work with flowers.

Mal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

3 years ago, I was struggling with my mental health. I was having severe anxiety and depression and there felt like no end in site. Some people in my life suggested I start a flower garden ” you need flowers!”. I scoffed. Like fLoWeRs were going to solve my crippling anxiety, sure.

One rainy afternoon, I walked out to our dilapidated garden. I took a packet of seeds and I angrily tossed the seeds and stomped them into the soil. At that point, I was willing to try anything to help myself. Two weeks later, seeing those seeds sprout, I melted. I helped nurture and create those tiny little seedling. My garden gave me something to pour my energy into, somewhere to retreat to and be present with. Over that summer, I found so much relief in my garden and when those seedlings started to bloom, I cut the flowers and started creating arrangements for myself. I started gifting them to family members and found even more joy in this creative process.

Eventually, people started asking if they could buy a flower arrangement from me. From there, I dove head first into learning and growing my floristry. It’s been a wild and fun adventure and I’ve loved every moment. Flowers seem to be my medium, it’s come so naturally to me and feels so intuitive. This year, I won Florists’ Review’s national Best in Blooms competition. It feels like a dream and I am so grateful for the opportunity to create meaningful, sustainable art!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love the challenge of taking an idea from seed to bloom! It is the coolest thing to stand back in awe at a finished flower installation that came from my brain! I can take an idea and bring it to life. And it really feels so intuitive and natural for me! I’ve only be learning for 3 years and I already have accomplished so much. I cannot wait to see where I’ll be in another 3 years, or in 10 or 20 years! I’m just getting started and my ideas are only getting bigger!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish that I *knew* I could do it. The best resource I have now that I didn’t at the beginning was my self-trust. I was so unsure of myself and my creative abilities. At this point, I have this really wild and bold believe in who I am and what I can do. Flowers have shown me over and over how capable I am! My creativity seems to have been unlocked in this journey and I never want to go back to not believing in myself.

It’s important to note that it’s not that I haven’t “failed” in this process, I’ve just not given up! I’ve learned so many lessons and had so many moments of trial and error AND I’ve kept going!

Contact Info:

• Website: Zealousdesignshop.com
• Instagram: malthecreative

Image Credits
Cara Lindsey (Cowgirl Camera) Taylor Elaine Photography