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Flowers have been a way for people to express emotions for thousands of years, across cultures and continents. In the 19th century, this idea really took off in Victorian England and the United States, where people used an elaborate system called floriography—the language of flowers—to send secret messages. This tradition was inspired by the Turkish custom of sélam, where each flower had its own meaning. As Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople, once said, “There is no flower without a verse belonging to it... you can send letters of passion, friendship, or even news without inking your fingers.”
Even today, flowers are still emotional messengers. They help us say things that are hard to put into words—like “I love you,” “I’m sorry,” or “I’m thinking of you.” In many ways, flowers act as a bridge between people, carrying feelings across distances and making moments feel more meaningful. Whether it's a celebration or a tough goodbye, there's something about flowers that speaks straight to the heart.
Flowers have always been more than just beautiful—they're a bridge between feelings and words. Each bloom carries meaning, helping you say what matters most, without saying a word.
Don't Keep Secrets
Everyone has a few, sometimes we let one slip. If you choose to reveal a secret could a flower help you spill the beans?
Are flowers more than their beauty? Can they convey a message secrecy? The unassuming bouquet of the white rose, snapdragon, foxglove, lavender, mock orange, maidenhair fern, and geranium symbolize the elements of secrecy—deceit, deception, and distrust. And to some, are more than just another flower in the vase.
Flowers have been used as a symbolic means of communication for thousands of years and expands across history, country and culture. During the 19th century interest soured in Victorian England and the United States. But what is it that we are trying to say, and why do we use flowers to try to say it? The intricate system of floral symbolism, florigraphy, in which each flower is assigned a specific meaning was inspired by the Turkish custom of sélam. As Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople (18th century) said, “There is no flower without a verse belonging to it; and it is possible to quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news without even inking your fingers.”
Square flexagon structure, relief print, BFK Rives | 6 x .25 x 6 inches | Edition of 11 | Created in 2023 | Photography by artist.
White rose (carrier of secrets) | Snapdragon (deception) | Foxglove (deception) | Lavender-(distrust) | Mock orange-(deceit) | Maidenhair fern-(secrecy) | Geranium-deceit
©Debbi Commodore
Tussie Mussie No. 1
Lasting bond: Joy and friendship
This book was inspired from tussie mussie bouquets and draws from the language of flowers. This bouquet consists of dahlias and yellow roses.
Flowers have been used as a symbolic means of communication for thousands of years and expands across history, country and culture. During the 19th century interest soured in Victorian England and the United States. But what is it that we are trying to say, and why do we use flowers to try to say it? The intricate system of floral symbolism, florigraphy, in which each flower is assigned a specific meaning was inspired by the Turkish custom of sélam. As Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople (18th century) said, “There is no flower without a verse belonging to it; and it is possible to quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news without even inking your fingers.”
Dragon fold structure, reproduction of hand tinted paper cut, 8 x 8 x .1 inch | open edition | 20XX Photograph by artist
©Debbi Commodore
Seductive Promises of Abundance
Each winter I am drawn into her inviting pages as they give me permission to dream of what is to come.
This piece is inspired by the mark in time each winter—the cold, dark, dormant days when the seed catalogs arrive bringing promise this season will pass and a new one will soon begin filled with hope of abundance. Her dog-eared pages mark a place in time where we dream of what is possible and escape the realities of inexperience, uncertainty, failure and disappointment. We move between remembering past harvests and dreaming. We make our lists, plans, and schedules; we begin to look forward—she teases us with what will be given, celebrating before there is a bounty. Drawn to her lush images, poetic descriptions, and yield promises we ready ourselves, counting the days, waiting. We become like the seed germinating in the soil. The neatly planted rows become overgrown; the simple seed catalog has given permission to dream and perhaps reflect beyond the harvest.
This piece is a collection of 12 books housed together in a box,dragon fold structured book, each opens to 20 inches, books are held in an individual envelope structures, box size 8 x 10 x 1 ¾ inches, 8 books: 3 ¾ x 2 x ¾ inches, 4 books: 2 x 14/16 x ¾ inches | Unique | 2015 | Photograph by artist
©Debbi Commodore
Neighborhood 4-A (top)
One of three hand-tinted paper cuts created as a part of Tacoma’s Traffic Box Wrap Project that have reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. This project is an extension of the Tacoma Murals Project, which has created 27 murals across Tacoma since 2010 in an effort to strategically revitalize and beautify the city.
Paper cut with gouache| 12 x 16 inches| 2015
©Debbi Commodore
Dahlia Inspired
The book, Dahlia Inspired, contains 20 unique dahlia inspired flowers using 6 relief cuts. I am captivated by flowers—their geometry, color, names and the emotion and memories they can invoke. In this book each flower in in full bloom, with a showy lack of discretion, and have been selected for their color, size and durability. Dahlia Inspired continues the quest for the perfect flower.
8 signatures sewn on cloth with long stich binding, 7 hand colored linoleum relief cut illustrations, Magnami Revere Suede, Stonehinge, Lami li, Canson, linen thread, cloth, board and silk ribbon, printed on a No. 1 Vandercook | 30 pages| 11 9/16 x 10 1/ 8 x 1 1/16 inches |Unique | 2011 | Photograph by artist
© Debbi Commodore
Garden Dreams
Garden dreams is a prelude to Neighborhood 4-A and Neighborhood 4-B.
Paper cut hand tinted with gouache | 13 x 5.5 inches | Unique | 2015