The Times Australia
Fashion and Beauty

.

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

  • Written by Tricia Paoluccio

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives

I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my show Here You Come Again, which I co-wrote and star in, and teaching creative workshops on the art of flower pressing throughout the US, Europe and the UK, and soon, across Australia.

While flower pressing and theatre might seem worlds apart, they are deeply connected for me. They both came from early childhood passions,  passions that blossomed fully during the pandemic, when many of us turned inward to rediscover what truly matters.

As a little girl, I fell in love with Dolly Parton. I would wear out her records, mimicking her voice over and over again. I was lucky to be encouraged: I sang in school choirs, entered talent shows, performed in school plays, and eventually moved to New York City to pursue a life in theatre.

Around the same time, I also discovered flower pressing. My brother made me a homemade flower press, and I started crafting greeting cards and collages. When I moved to NYC, I brought those pressed flowers with me, using them to sell my art while chasing auditions.

I’m so grateful that I had the chance to explore those creative impulses as a child. What may have seemed small or silly,  singing like Dolly or arranging petals on paper, turned out to be the seeds of a lifelong career.

Here You Come Again has now toured internationally, employing hundreds of people along the way. And my pressed flower art has grown into a real business: teaching workshops, collaborating with designers, and most famously, becoming part of Oscar de la Renta’s viral pressed flower dresses — including the Taylor Swift Grammys gown and Anna Wintour’s Met Gala dress. I’ve designed wallpaper, tabletop collections, and even rugs. I’ve learned about licensing, business, production — all from the same creative spark that started in childhood.

That’s why I believe so strongly in protecting space for creativity in young lives.

Every time a child scribbles on a page, sings a song, mimics a dance move, or invents a play in their living room, they’re not just passing the time. They’re building a relationship with their imagination, one that may someday shape who they become, whether professionally or simply as whole, expressive people.

In the UK, fewer students are taking creative subjects, while schools scale back on music and art to make room for test-based learning. In the U.S., entire districts have eliminated the arts. And in parts of Australia, creative programs are often the first to go when budgets are tight.

This isn’t just about education budgets. It’s about what kind of people we’re helping raise. Creative expression isn’t fluff it’s a tool for reflection, resilience, and human connection. And we can’t predict which quiet child doodling in the back of class might someday create the next masterpiece that moves the world.

During lockdown, when everything felt uncertain, what saved us? For many, it was stories, films, series, music, art. We weren’t just consuming it, we were making it. I began teaching flower pressing classes on Zoom, and thousands of people around the world joined in. I saw people slow down, connect, and take pride in creating something beautiful with their own hands.

We often talk about “wellness” in terms of food and fitness. Creativity belongs in that conversation too. And it doesn’t require fancy supplies or professional talent. It can be a notebook, a glue stick, a school stage, a flower tucked between pages. A moment to make something. To feel something.

It doesn’t matter if someone becomes a professional artist or not. We all have an artist within us that deserves to be nurtured. Making something beautiful, just for the sake of it, is healing. It has value.

Creativity isn’t a bonus. It’s how we make sense of the world. And now, more than ever, we need to hold onto it.

You can learn more about pressing flowers with Tricia on her website: www.modernpressedflower.com and discover her art and lifestyle brand thru: www.domainoftheflowerings.com.

https://hereyoucomeagain.com.au/


Times Magazine

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

DIY Is In: How Aussie Parents Are Redefining Birthday Parties

When planning his daughter’s birthday, Rich opted for a DIY approach, inspired by her love for drawing maps and giving clues. Their weekend tradition of hiding treats at home sparked the idea, and with a pirate ship playground already chosen as t...

When Touchscreens Turn Temperamental: What to Do Before You Panic

When your touchscreen starts acting up, ignoring taps, registering phantom touches, or freezing entirely, it can feel like your entire setup is falling apart. Before you rush to replace the device, it’s worth taking a deep breath and exploring what c...

Why Social Media Marketing Matters for Businesses in Australia

Today social media is a big part of daily life. All over Australia people use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok , LinkedIn and Twitter to stay connected, share updates and find new ideas. For businesses this means a great chance to reach new customers and...

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

The Times Features

From Farms to Festivals: How Regional NSW Is Repurposing Shipping Containers

Regional NSW communities are repurposing containers for farms, tourism, and events Farmers and small businesses use them as cost-effective, flexible infrastructure Festivals ...

What a Mobile Speech Pathologist Really Does for Late Talkers

As a parent, it’s natural to keep a close eye on your child’s development. When your toddler isn’t using as many words as their peers, the internet can feel like a rabbit hole ...

Benefits of Tree Pruning for a Thriving Australian Garden

Tree pruning is an essential aspect of garden maintenance that often doesn't get the attention it deserves. It's a practice that involves the selective removal of certain parts...

What is psychosocial therapy? And why is the government thinking about adding it to Medicare for kids?

The government is considering new, bulk-billed health checks for three-year-olds, to pick up developmental concerns and refer kids that might need additional support. The de...

Detect Hidden Water Leaks Fast: Don’t Ignore Hot Water System Leaks

Detecting water leaks early is crucial for preventing extensive damage to your home. Among the various parts of a home’s plumbing system, hot water systems are particularly suscept...

Why do hamstring injuries happen so often and how can they be prevented?

In a recent clash against the Melbourne Storm, the Brisbane Broncos endured a nightmare rarely seen in professional sport — three players tore their hamstrings[1] in a single g...