From the de Young — A Final Toss of the Bouquet

The cross-shaped floral design of Monique Duncan of Plumweed Flowers Co., San Francisco, took its inspiration from Robert Rauschenberg's "Shadow (Tracks)" sculpture. — A floral design by Monique Duncan of Plumweed Flowers Co., San Francisco, takes its inspiration from Robert Rauschenberg’s “Shadow (Tracks)” sculpture on the wall behind it. Photo by BF Newhall.

By Barbara Falconer Newhall

At times during my visit to the Bouquets to Art exhibition at the de Young on Tuesday, I wondered whether my soul might be better off if I’d just stand there quietly looking at the floral arrangements — instead of taking so darned many pictures.

Peggy O'Neill used a tire and orange flowers to reflect Edward Hopper's painting "Portrait of Orleans" — Floral designer Peggy O’Neill of Hearts and Flowers, Tiburon, captured Edward Hopper’s painting “Portrait of Orleans.” Photo by BF Newhall

I took 254 photos to be exact, which comes to almost one click of the shutter per minute.

The state of my soul notwithstanding, the truth is I’m having almost as much fun quietly poring over the pictures today as I did looking at the real thing earlier this week . . . but without the tired feet and polite crowds all trying to see what I’m trying to see.

Here are a few of my pictures. You’ll find more at “Where Poppies Dance and Cactuses Are Petit Fours” and “It’s Art, But Is It a Bouquet?”

Bouquets to Art, de Young Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, March 19-23, 2013.