FLOWER FRIEND SPOTLIGHT - SHANNON ATWATER
The Flower Friend Spotlight of the month is Shannon Atwater! She is a brilliant author/illustrator of multiple New Orleans’ styled children’s picture books as well as a Mardi Gras flower artist! Learn all about how creating Mardi Gras float/house flowers influenced her adorable books below! Don’t forget to wave at her while she’s marching in Cleopatra and Orpheus with Krewe des Fleurs.
Tell us your name and what you do!
My name is Shannon Atwater, and I've always been an artist, but these past few years, I've turned into an author and illustrator of children's picture books. My second book JUST came out in time for Mardi Gras, and it's called "Goodnight Pothole."
Why do flowers interest you from an artistic standpoint?
I just love painting them. They're shapes, colors, and patterns; they're endless.
Can you tell us a little about the process of creating Mardi Gras House Flowers?
My process is different from others. I'm not classically trained in float art, so instead of paper, I make mine out of EVA foam. I made a whole bunch for my house float in 2021. Once my decorations went up, I ended up making a ton for others that year as well!
(A quick note about House Floats… from Destiny)
The way our city banded together during covid and a canceled Mardi Gras was so inspiring and heartfelt. In an effort to keep some funds flowing to our culture bearers, float artists, and local small businesses, our city decorated their homes with what was deemed “House Floats.” Some were simple Mardi Gras decorations, others were elaborate scenes, some rented items from our Mardi Gras Float holders and had huge menageries covering their lawns. Locals and tourists alike traveled all around the city, taking in the sights. Some homes even had custom House Float throws to give out. It was a beautiful spectacle of community and artistry. Now back to Shannon!
Did creating House Flowers inspire your Childrens Book?
So my first book, "Alligators Don't Like Flowers," actually came to me because I had ruined my purse during one of our costume builds for Krewe des Fleurs. I was being careless and splattered some primer onto the leather. I was bummed but had seen a friend use leather paint recently and thought it would be a good way to cover the blemishes. As I was brainstorming what to paint, my brain obviously went to flowers, and then I thought maybe an alligator too. Maybe it could be an alligator wearing a flower crown? That imagery spurred the story idea, and the rest is history.
Tell us about Angelo!
Angelo is a gentle giant. He's different not only physically, as he's a leucistic white alligator, but different personality-wise as well. Angelo can't help but stand out, and while it's scary at first, his friends build up his confidence. His story is a sweet one about celebrating differences and self-love.
What is the Krewe des fleurs, and can you tell us about the process of building your costume?
Krewe des Fleurs is a magical moving garden that I am so proud to be a part of. This is my fifth season as a member, and it just fills my cup to the brim. It's hard finding a balance when you do creative work as your livelihood, but it's become an artistic outlet for me where I don't have to monetize my skill set. We build a flower every year as a group. A costume designer prototypes the varietal and then teaches us how to build the base flower ourselves. For the past two years, it's been one of our super-talented members, Lindsay DeBlieux leading us in our designs; she is a Mardi Gras float artist. Then each member gets to put her own spin on the costume, and we debut our new looks on Twelfth Night. Even though Lindsay and I have a background in the arts, most of our members do not, and everyone puts so much love into their work. It's amazing to see all of the different ideas the other women create every year. I also love that we focus on a more sustainable Mardi Gras. Krewe des Fleurs has brought such fabulous friendships into my life.
What parades can we find you in this season?
I'll be marching in Cleopatra and Orpheus this year but you can also find the fleurs leading the Captain's float in Iris.
What's your favorite flower?
So hard to choose! If I'm choosing my favorite locally, I'd have to say irises (I painted at least a hundred of them in Alligators Don't Like Flowers), but growing up in South Florida, I have a soft spot for Plumeria.
Find Shannon here:
Website: www.shannonkelleyatwater.com
I'm most active on Instagram @shannonkelleyatwater