October is a month of exciting news for our blog. After buckling up, warming up, and hitting the road for one of our floral jaunts—the most recent in Cernobbio during Orticolario—we're pleased to introduce a new column.
Creative Character of the Month It will be a mosaic of interviews, structured around five questions, on the theme of creativity, addressed to personalities who had the courage to leap beyond obstacles to follow their passion, ultimately managing to transform it into their dream job. The interview season will open with Silvia Pacchierotti, an artist with a gentle touch and an innate grace in both speech and movement. We had the pleasure of meeting her in the refined setting of the Corsini Garden in Florence during the last edition of the Florence Flower Show (rare and unusual plant market) and we were literally captivated by the understated elegance and aesthetic perfection of her artisanal creations. With exquisite kindness and irrepressible enthusiasm, Silvia participated in the interview.
How did your creative journey begin and how does it influence your lifestyle?
“Over the years, I have increasingly become convinced that creativity is part of my DNA. From this perspective, I grew up in a very stimulating environment; my mother, a teacher by profession, introduced me to art from an early age, letting me experiment with various painting techniques on the most diverse materials. I have always had a keen sense of observation, and everything new and unusual piqued my curiosity. My main source of inspiration is undoubtedly nature in all its myriad nuances. I consider myself privileged, having the fortune of living in the Tuscan countryside, a region of undeniable beauty that the entire world envies us. Here I find my refuge, a place of total tranquility and peaceful balance with everything around me. From an early age, I have cultivated an almost mystical fascination with flowers, and from there, it was a short step to becoming passionate about painting them, learning their names and characteristics. Then, how often, on summer evenings during my childhood, I delighted in picking flowers. Wildflowers, playing "he loves me, he loves me not" with petals, or transforming their corolla into a ballet dancer's tutu. Today, more than ever, my creative streak is in constant search of inspiration because nature never ceases to enchant me. For me, being a source of inspiration, I call myself Silvia, and the expression Nomen omen It fits me perfectly, given that my name, of Latin origin, means “born in the woods”.
Where do you best express your creative side and why?
“Thanks to thirty years of experience in the interior design industry, having managed a boutique/atelier with an adjoining workshop, I've had the opportunity to learn and explore new techniques in various creative fields. Working with flowers in particular, and creating compositions and floral displays, constantly attentive to making the most of their shapes, textures, and colors, I've realized how powerful a medium they can be, capable of conveying joy, harmony, and a sense of pleasant lightness.”
To be creative you have to be…?
“According to my philosophy, to be creative you simply have to stay true to yourself, have the ability and patience to look within, never tire of observing in search of emotions that unleash our five senses, to ultimately be able to create artistic artifacts capable of giving concrete form to our thoughts and speaking to the soul.”
How does the floral world inspire your creations?
“The floral world is undoubtedly the beating heart of my creativity. Flowers are the common thread throughout my paintings, in which I always strive to capture their beauty and express their magnetic power to evoke emotions, memories, and atmospheres. I am passionate about exploring the chromatic nuances and geometries of natural elements, which transform into soft, sinuous lines and strokes. My goal is to always pay respectful homage to flowers and their uniqueness, because each one holds a message that I strive to listen to and translate into a creative project that transcends paper, wood, ceramic, or canvas. In my creations, I use artificial flowers, which I repaint to personalize them, dried flowers for their nostalgic and timeless charm, and fresh cut flowers, from the most refined to the simplest. It is my custom to honor my clients with a floral touch, and I often collaborate as a freelance flower designer with companies in the luxury wedding sector.”
What emotions would you like to convey with your work?
“First and foremost, sunshine and positivity. The language of flowers is universal, imbued with wonder, delicacy, and strength. Through my work, I seek to evoke a whirlwind of positive emotions, but also a touch of melancholy. I choose every petal, every color, and every shape with meticulous care because I want to tell a story that will remain etched in the memory, whether it evokes a memory or arouses unexpected wonder. My goal is to touch the viewer's heart, offering a moment of beauty and contemplation in a world that often slips away too quickly. Perhaps a single word can perfectly define what I want to convey. Harmony, because, deep down, I believe it is also a distinctive trait of my soul.”
Our first interview ends here, but before we say goodbye, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Silvia for her time and congratulate her on her boundless imagination and undeniable talent for creating beauty wherever she casts her gaze. As we say goodbye, we can only wish her continued creativity, because every woman who creates, creates value.
Article Author: Francesca Pera
