05/14/2025 – Driftwood Garden Club

Congratulations to Driftwood Garden Club members Pinar Gokce and Susan McMullen for their stunning floral interpretation of Winslow Homer’s ‘The Fog Warning’.

Painted in Maine in 1885, this iconic oil painting depicts a local fisherman battling the elements in the hopes of returning to the safety of the ship far on the horizon. Susan and Pinar were struck by the intense drama and conflict in the painting, as well as the strong diagonals created by the dory and the impending fog.

This is the first time the duo collaborated to design for Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts annual Art in Bloom event. They chose their container because of the shape, composition, and color. The shape suggests a boat, the material is rough and elemental, and the color mimics cold ocean water. Then they scoured the New England Flower Exchange to find plant materials that best represented the painting. According to the designers, their creation is meant to express the contrast between the menacing fog bank, the solitude of the fisherman and the glimmer of hope in the pink sky reflected on the fish skin. In the arrangement, the diagonals of the fog and dory are represented by Ti leaves and Fantail Pussy Willows, and Quince branches and Rice Flowers provide a delicate pink shade. Other flowers used were Bush Ivy, Dusty Miller, and Sea Holly.

Art in Bloom, now in its 49^th year, is a beloved event at the Museum of Fine Arts. The popular event showcases the expertise of New England garden clubs, professional designers, and MFA floral volunteers. Driftwood members were guided on a private tour by an MFA Tour Docent who described the art piece along with an MFA Floral Design Volunteer who commented on the accompanying floral design. Everyone agreed that Susan McMullen and Pinar Gokce’s beautiful floral design depicting ‘The Fog Warning’ was professionally executed in every way.