Art rooted in memory, place, and the quiet magic of the natural world
Meet Gabrielle — artist, forager, and flower preservationist
meet the artist
From fairy houses to fine art
Gabrielle Benzie is an artist, forager, and flower preservationist based in Camden, Maine. Her work is rooted in a deep connection to place—the woods, the coastlines, and the wild trails of Maine that bloom in unexpected ways. The landscape that shaped her as a child continues to inspire nearly every piece she creates.
She pressed her first flowers as a young girl, enchanted by the way a bloom could be tucked between pages and preserved like a secret. Years later, she stumbled across one of those early pressings inside an old book—and something lit up. What began as a moment of nostalgia became a lifelong path forward. She’s been pressing ever since.
Education & Background
Gabrielle studied graphic design and digital media at the Savannah College of Art and Design before completing her degree at Northern Vermont University. With a foundation in visual storytelling and a keen eye for composition, her background continues to inform the visual balance and detail in her work.
Each piece is created using botanicals she forages and presses by hand—often collected on hikes, shoreline walks, and daily explorations throughout the Maine landscape.
The Origins of Forage & Press
Forage & Press began in the smallest corners of Gabrielle’s early apartments: a flower press on a borrowed desk, petals tucked between the pages of sketchbooks and cookbooks, and a growing desire to preserve the fleeting beauty found outdoors.
Over time, that quiet, intentional practice blossomed into a full-time studio and body of work. What started as a personal ritual has grown into a business rooted in sustainability, slowness, and deep reverence for the natural world.
The Studio
Today, Gabrielle works from her dedicated studio nestled beneath the pines in Camden, Maine—just steps from her front door. It’s here that she creates seasonal collections, pressed flower wedding preservations, and custom botanical artworks for clients around the country.
Her work has been featured in galleries, private collections, and artisan markets throughout New England.
Beyond the Studio
When not pressing flowers, Gabrielle can often be found wandering forest trails with a basket in hand, beachcombing Maine’s rugged coastline, or paddling out for a surf—always inspired by the shifting light and living textures of the natural world.
“I find inspiration in the ordinary—in roadside weeds, wild patches, and the unassuming magic of what’s often dismissed.”
My mission is simple: to honor the beauty of the natural world, and to invite others to slow down and notice it too. Through this work, I hope to spark a sense of reverence and wonder in the everyday—whether it’s a familiar wildflower or something you’ve never noticed before.
This is my invitation: to pause, to look closely, and to remember the fleeting things.
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