Exploring the Beauty of Nature with Miquela Raiche’s Palette of Petals

In this interview, artist and designer Miquela Raiche opens up about her creative journey, from her background in interior design to discovering her passion for botanical art. She shares how moving to California sparked her fascination with native plants and how a creative challenge during the pandemic led her to create beautiful floral portraits. Miquela also talks about her creative process, the inspiration she draws from nature and her family, and how she balances being an artist with motherhood. She talks about her love for finding beauty in everyday objects, her connection to her grandparents, and how art helps her process life’s challenges.

Miquela Raiche is a Canadian visual artist and designer recognized for her imaginative and innovative approach to botanical art. Graduating with distinction from the Design Studies program in 2006, she spent the next decade immersed in home furnishings and interior design. In 2016, she relocated to Northern California with her family and launched her online shop, Great Honour Goods. Her move to California sparked a deep fascination with the region’s native plants and flowers. Inspired by the beauty around her, she began photographing local flower farms and exploring plants and flowers as artistic mediums. In 2020, she participated in an online challenge to create faces using foliage. After crafting her first floral portrait using only materials found at her feet, Miquela discovered her passion for this unique medium. Her interior design work has garnered recognition in publications such as Domino magazine, ORIGIN magazine, and Apartment Therapy. Recently, The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam featured her portrait work online. Additionally, her floral art graced the cover of Suboart magazine and appeared in the notable 101 Art Book: Floral Edition, showcasing the creativity of 101 women artists worldwide. In the summer of 2024, Miquela held her first solo exhibition, “Palette of Petals,” in Northern California, deepening her connection to the local art scene and community.

1. What inspired you to become an artist?

I would say it was a bit of an accident. I’ve always identified as a designer, but it took me years to embrace the artist title. Creativity has been a significant part of my life, and after leaving my long-term design job to move countries and stay home with my kids, I felt a bit lost. I opened my online vintage home goods store as a passion project and a creative outlet. It wasn’t until the pandemic, while at home with three small children, that I began experimenting with flowers as an artistic medium. Initially, it was just a fun exploration, but the more I experimented and shared my work, the more passionate I became. Gradually, I transitioned from vintage home goods and decor to focusing solely on my floral pieces. The only aspect that has remained is the name, Great Honour Goods, which was named in tribute to my grandparents. Coincidentally (or perhaps not), my maternal grandmother was a master gardener who won numerous awards for her flowers, which were her pride and joy throughout my life. It took me until adulthood to fully appreciate her fascination with flowers and nature, but she remains a true inspiration. My paternal grandparents were both artists in their own right—my grandfather was a skilled craftsman and fixer, while my grandmother enjoyed sewing, painting, and crafting. My father, a talented photographer, always encouraged me to explore my creativity and passions, teaching me about art, composition, creating with my hands, and finding natural beauty. My mother, a pharmacist, often insists she has no creative talents (though I don’t believe that to be true), yet she has always admired artistic skill and values creativity in all its forms.

I love discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary—taking a closer look at the world around me and finding beauty in what might otherwise go unnoticed.

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2. Where do you find inspiration for your artwork?

Oh, I find inspiration everywhere! It truly surrounds us, from the bark of trees and the clouds in the sky to the changing seasons. I love traveling to new places, wandering through busy cities, studying architecture, and people-watching, then returning to the tranquility of a local flower farm. Current events, notable figures, shifts in the world, and meaningful moments in time also inspire me. Music has always played a significant role in my life, and recently, I’ve been particularly drawn to creating song lyrics, poetry, and phrases that resonate with the heart—words that make me pause, reflect, or smile. While I used to focus mainly on nature portraits, I’ve enjoyed exploring the written word this past year.

3. Can you tell us about a particular piece of art that holds special meaning for you?

Last July, my husband was rushed to the ER with an irregular heartbeat. Being young, active, and healthy, it took us all by surprise. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and required an immediate procedure called a cardioversion, which uses an electric shock to restore the heart’s rhythm. After significant life events, it can be tough to jump back into creativity, but I’ve realized that creating helps clear my mind and lift the heaviness—almost like a form of processing. A few days after returning from the hospital, I made “The Heart” for Jason (…and me).

4. How do you handle creative blocks or periods of low inspiration?

Creating without any specific goal is important—not for content, not to sell, and not for anyone else to see. Just make something, anything, for yourself. This practice lifts the pressure to create and helps clear my mind. I also find experimenting with different mediums (just for fun) or exploring new locations incredibly helpful. And sometimes, discovering a great new album is just the inspiration I need!

I allow nature to find its balance. In a single breath, everything can shift, reminding me that all things are temporary, change is inevitable, and we should embrace every opportunity to appreciate what’s before us.

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5. How do you know when a piece of art is finished?

With delicate mediums like fresh flowers and leaves, time is of the essence. I typically need to stay in the zone and see the idea through in one sitting, especially when creating portraits. As the pieces begin to dry, their shapes change, and every little move matters. Expressions shift, face shapes can distort—things can get wonky. Sometimes I wish to pause and return to it (which is possible with dried materials, which I sometimes use), but it’s always risky to leave it, especially with three kids and a dog! I usually enter a hyper-focused mode to execute and photograph my idea as quickly as possible.

Miquela Raiche’s art reflects a deep connection to nature, family, and the simple beauty of everyday life. Her floral portraits, created without glue or fasteners, delicately remind us of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of appreciating the world around us. To learn more about Miquela, visit the links below.