Deana Nguyen
Interview by:
Charman Driver
Deana Nguyen | Maker. Floral Artist. Quiet Presence. Force of Nature. Human.
“Working with flowers opened my eyes to find so much happiness and inspiration from things we often overlook. Unique beauty is everywhere if you leave your creative mind open to see it.”
– Deana Nguyen
CD: Deana, you’re an artist and a maker, studying everything from painting to ceramics, to loom-weaving and jewelry-making. Now you’re the creative director for the flower shop at Brewery Bhavana and your new venture, Feature Flora, makes flowers the art form. Why flowers?
DN: I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with all kinds of art mediums. Just like many people growing up, I struggled with forming a clear path for what I wanted to do. In 1978, my family escaped Vietnam (during the Vietnam War) by boat. They risked their lives to pursue a better life for themselves and my generation. Knowing the intense hardships they endured has always overwhelmed me with the pressure to be successful and to carry my family forward.
A career in art is not a desirable path in my culture. Luckily, my family is easy going and accept my headstrong personality—they want me to do what makes me happy. They recognize my passion and interest in the art of flowers and are proud and supportive!
It’s interesting to work with flowers because I feel like I’m a doctor prescribing visual medicine for people.
CD: It’s a prescription and you fill it!
DN: I enjoy making each arrangement feel personal and adding character to them..
Flowers are never a sad thing. There’s always a positive connotation, even if for a funeral. Sometimes it intimidates me to work with them because they so are fragile and perishable, but it’s worth it because they make such a positive impact.
With Feature Flora, I showcase unconventional beauty and sculptural arrangements to create an experience in hopes that the experience leave an impression. When you eat something delicious, it isn’t going to last long, but you always remember how good it tasted, where you were, and how it made you feel. I want Feature Flora to be an experience that is remembered.
CD: That’s inspiring! What does it mean to you to be nourished?
DN: To be nourished is to understand what makes you happy, have a good balance and enjoy things in moderation.
I always try to eat healthy and I also indulge—in moderation. It’s not great to have unhealthy foods often, but some of those foods remind me of my childhood and mentally makes me happy. Sometimes the thing that isn’t super-healthy can still be nourishing if I’m stressed out and it makes me feel better.
CD: How do you nourish yourself?
DN: Every day for the last year, I’ve made a smoothie in the morning. Honestly, I feel like it’s the reason I haven’t gotten sick in over a year. In the past I would get sick at least 3 or 4 times a year. With this smoothie concoction I’ve been drinking, I haven’t been sick at all.
CD: Will you please share it with our BY: NEST readers?
DN: I will! A morning smoothie is good for me, too, because I’m always on the run and not great at snacking during day. I’m consistently trying to gain weight as well.
CD: What is it to be empowered?
DN: To me it’s an internal thing. I feel most empowered when I’m able to work with my hands— whether that’s cooking, gardening or making flowers. I don’t particularly like talking and presenting in front of people, so I feel most comfortable presenting myself through things I make.
CD: How do you empower others?
DN: I hope to empower people to challenge what we know is beautiful verses what we, as individuals, think is beautiful. Working with flowers has opened my eyes to find so much happiness and inspiration from things we often overlook—from a stray dandelion growing through the cracks of a sidewalk or the unique abnormalities of a tulip within a bouquet of a dozen. Unique beauty is everywhere if you leave your creative mind open to see it.
My flower workshops are empowering too. I share a very personal part of myself. The fact that people respond and react to it—and pull inspiration from what I do—is the biggest compliment to me. I hope that I empower people with my work and what comes from my hands.
CD: How do you shape your body?
DN: Since I was little, I’ve always had trouble gaining weight and have felt self-conscious about being petite. With a lifestyle shift (two years ago) from working in the restaurant industry to working with flowers, I struggled with maintaining a healthy weight. I’m always on the go and constantly in motion —sometimes I forget to eat. People think I’m crazy for feeling self-conscious about my size, but everyone has their own personal battles.
I’ve actually gained a few pounds in the last few weeks with the help of a bigger appetite and consistent strength-building—thanks to some dumbbells and a pull-up bar from Amazon. This is the happiest I’ve been with my body in almost three years!
CD: What does transformation mean to you?
DN: I learned through flowers, that in order to transform you must accept change and be able to move on. Learning to accept change was difficult for me, but working with flowers, enables me to let things go.
Perennials grow, they die and they come back. Annuals grow and then die. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking to work with materials that don’t last long, but that has helped me have a different perspective on life.
CD: How do you show up for community?
DN: Currently, I am working on trying to find balance showing up for my family, my partner and myself so that I can show up for my community in a thoughtful and meaningful way. In the hospitality and service industry, it’s easily forgotten to take care of oneself. I realize I need to reserve some of that energy for my loved ones and myself.
CD: When you can say no to the things that don’t matter, you can say yes to the things that do.
DN: Yes! It makes a difference for yourself, and then what you give to the community is authentic.
Deana’s Nourish Smoothie:
Ingredients
1 Whole Banana
1 Handful of Fruit (Pineapple, Mango, Strawberry, Berries of any Sort)
1 Heaping Handful of Spinach or Kale
1 Tbsp. of White Chia Seeds
2 Tbsp. of Raw Pumpkin Seeds
2 Tbsp. of Brown Flax Seeds
1/2 Can Guayaki Yerba Mate (Orange Exuberance or Lemon Elation—both my favorites!)
Big Splash of POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice
Tiny Splash of Apple Cider Vinegar
Directions
Blend it together and enjoy!