16. Portrait of Isabel Anderson
Chic Floral Designs
Ellen Seagraves, AIFD EMC
2026 installation
Second Floor - English Drawing Room
The Inspiration
DeWitt M. Lockman painted this portrait of Isabel Anderson and her pet macaw, Anna, in the late 1910s, when Isabel was in her early forties. On loan from the New Hampshire Historical Society.
The Flowers
Recipe: Hydrangeas, clematis, rose petals
Florist’s inspiration: At the same time this Gilded Age portrait was completed, Pablo Picasso and George Braque were experimenting with a radically different approach to art that was dubbed Cubism. The styles and thinking behind these two approaches could not be more different and were reflective of the historical time of the early 20th century. I have endeavored to interpret the piece in a Cubist fashion.
THE DESIGNER
Ellen Seagraves, AIFD EMC
Chic Floral Designs
Ellen Seagraves, AIFD EMC, is a native Washingtonian who has been creating with flowers for over 25 years. She has a degree in weaving and textile design and had a small boutique handmade clothing business for many years. That early interest has had a large influence on her floral design. Incorporating textile techniques into her floral designs is a signature design style.
Ellen has studied and continues to study with national and international figures in the world of floral art. Her achievement of AIFD credentials in both design and judging and study in Belgium to attain European Master Certification have furthered her design growth.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Anna Schmidt Photography
Anna Schmidt is a Washington, DC based photographer with 15 years of experience documenting weddings, events, and cultural celebrations with intention, artistry, and heart. She is the founder of Anna Schmidt Photography—known for joyful, refined storytelling- and Ambre Nuit Weddings, her editorial studio rooted in mood, romance, and legacy.
Known for her intuitive ability to read a room and anticipate moments, Anna creates images that feel both elevated and deeply human. She photographs connection with thoughtful pacing and emotional awareness, guiding when needed and stepping back when presence matters most. Balancing polished, editorial imagery with candid moments of ease and authenticity, her work is shaped by discernment, trust, and care. A lifelong artist and music lover, she draws inspiration from color, movement, and meaningful detail.
Grounded in the belief that people create their best work when they feel seen, respected, and supported, Anna approaches every celebration with empathy and intention- honoring love across cultures, identities, traditions, and families with dignity and sincerity.
Anna is honored to return as a photographer for Art in Bloom, an event she deeply admires for its celebration of creativity, nature, and community—and for the way it invites people to slow down, notice beauty, and experience art with intention.
