Flower Artist

One day in 2017, artist Raku Inoue (ee-noh-ooh-eh) saw that strong winds had shaken dark pink petals off a rose bush in his backyard in Montreal, Canada. He had an idea: He arranged the petals in the shape of a beetle on a piece of paper. He used thin green twigs for its legs. “It was so fulfilling that I kept on going,” Inoue says.

In the following months, he created more insects using leaves, seeds, flowers, and other plant parts. He took photos of his creations and posted them on social media. Soon, people began noticing his work! 

Since then, Inoue has created sculptures of all kinds of animals, from sloths to tigers. After he’s done, Inoue races to take photos of his artwork before the plant parts wilt. Then he usually tosses the sculpture in a compost bin, where it will break down into nutrient-filled soil.

Photos of Inoue’s animals have appeared in books and magazines, and even on clothes! People interpret his artwork in different ways. For example, some see it as a reminder that we should enjoy and respect nature. Inoue recently spoke to Scholastic about his work.

In 2017, artist Raku Inoue (ee-noh-ooh-eh) stood in his backyard in Montreal, Canada. He saw something that sparked an idea. Strong winds had blown pink petals off a rose bush. He placed the petals on a piece of paper in the shape of a beetle. He used green twigs for its legs. “It was so fulfilling that I kept on going,” Inoue says.

Inoue created more insects in the following months. He made them from leaves, seeds, flowers, and other plant parts. He took photos of his creations. He posted the images on the internet. Soon, people began noticing his work! 

Inoue has made all kinds of flower animals since then. They include everything from sloths to tigers. Inoue has to quickly take photos of his artwork. That’s because the plant parts will start to wilt. Then he usually tosses the sculptures in a compost bin. There, the plants break down into nutrient-filled soil.

Inoue’s animals have appeared in books, in magazines, and even on clothes! People view his artwork in different ways. It reminds some people that we should enjoy and respect nature. Inoue recently spoke to Scholastic about his work.

I grew up in Japan, where there’s a huge variety of insects. My mother and grandmother would bring me to the local park, and we would search for butterflies, cicadas, and beetles. 

Also, my grandfather passed away when I was young. Every time a dragonfly would come into the house, my grandmother would say, “Oh, that’s your grandfather visiting!” Insects have always had a symbolic meaning for me.

I grew up in Japan. The country has many types of insects. My mother and grandmother would take me to the local park. We would search for butterflies, cicadas, and beetles.

My grandfather passed away when I was young. Sometimes a dragonfly would come into the house. My grandmother would say, “Oh, that’s your grandfather visiting!” Insects have always held meaning for me.

It depends. Sometimes, I find a flower or a stem I like while cleaning up my garden. Other times, I walk around the street and see something interesting, like a pinecone. A local flower shop also gives me flowers that aren’t fresh enough to sell, but they are still beautiful.

It depends. Sometimes, I am cleaning up my garden. I’ll find a flower or a stem I like. I walk around the street other times. I might see something interesting, like a pinecone. A local flower shop also gives me flowers. They aren’t fresh enough to sell. But they are still beautiful. 

I prefer to work with flat petals, like rose petals. Those are easier to shape than curvy petals from lilies and orchids. Over time, I’ve had to learn about the materials I’m working with. 

Some flowers, like gerbera daisies, will last longer than others. Humidity, or the amount of moisture in the air, can also damage flowers. There are many things I need to consider.

I like to work with flat petals, like rose petals. Those are easier to shape than curvy petals from lilies or orchids. I’ve had to learn about the materials as I work.

Some flowers last longer than others. Gerbera daisies are a good example. There are many other things I need to consider. Humidity is one. It’s the amount of moisture in the air. It can damage flowers. 

For insects, I make a rough sketch of the animal. Then I arrange the plant parts flat on the paper, and that’s it. 

For more complex animals, like a tiger, I first study the animal’s anatomy, or body structure. I make a skeleton out of a plastic foam. I cover the skeleton with a layer of a sponge material soaked in water. Then I stick the flowers and plant materials into the sponge. That keeps them fresh for longer.

I make a rough sketch for insects. Then I arrange the plant parts flat on the paper. And that’s it. 

For more complex animals, like a tiger, I first study the animal’s anatomy. That’s its body structure. I make a skeleton out of a plastic foam. I cover the skeleton with sponge material that’s been soaked in water. Then I stick the flowers and plant materials into the sponge. That keeps them fresh for longer.

I love the freedom of creating my own artwork. The most powerful thing for an artist is to be able to create and sell your art all by yourself. 

I love the freedom of creating my own artwork. The most powerful thing for an artist is to create and sell your art all by yourself.