UPROOTED by the unbelievably talented, Mike Hines. Incredible photographs by Doug Human.

I honestly don’t know what I expected when I heard Mike Hines was doing a book, it most certainly wasn’t what I found when I opened it!  What I expected, lots of color, lots of style, perhaps a glimpse at Mike’s achievements via his event work, private client parties, amazing hotel installations, I suppose another book on flowers and their beauty…this isn’t the book at all!  It is a book like no other.  What it is is a look into Mike’s being and how he translates that in his private work. Using nature in its purest form is the basis of this book which uses very little verbiage but relies on the visual for its impact. he forces the viewer (can’t say the reader, although Mike’s words, at the beginning and spliced throughout the chapters, give you even more depth of the creator).

My favorite image from the book, love it!

I quote Mike’s thoughts in his introduction to UPROOTED: “Roots beget flowers.  Roots also begin families, relationships, and emotions.  When we uproot and expose, we explore.” This philosophy forms the basis of the book…using roots, twigs, stems, seeds, dirt, wood, horn, etc. (and flowers, of course), Mike creates the raw beauty of nature.  The book was shot in three days, which I find totally incredible!  But knowing Mike, that is exactly the way he wanted it.  Idea born, idea formed, idea produced, idea over and done!

Another image with a hint of color.  Mike occasionally used white, green and red against his monochromatic palette for the book.

Perhaps a bit dark for many, I feel it is pure genius not only the creations featured but the photography, by Doug Human, which intensifies the moody, very sexy arrangements.  It will, most certainly, change your mind on what a floral arrangement should be, and why not think differently that is what creativity is all about, challenging oneself to think beyond the norm.  I hope you love the book and Mike’s amazing journey as much as I do.

Mike will be delighted to sign your book and you can purchase it directly from epochfloral.com.  A perfect gift for all your trendy friends for the Holidays.  Believe me, they won’t have a “flower” book like it on their coffee table!  (No compensation, just a love of a friend, prompted this piece!)

http://www.epochfloral.com