Postcards From The Med, with Aline Gaiad

“I was ready to share my work pretty quickly – not because it was perfect, but because it was honest”

Freddie's Flowers: You started painting in 2020 – which, given your success in such a short space of time, is particularly impressive! What was it that inspired you to pick up a paintbrush for the first time?

Aline Gaiad: The initial spark came during the first lockdown. I was staring at my walls, which felt so bare and lifeless, and I longed for colour. My parents’ home was always filled with paintings and that atmosphere really shaped me, so I decided to bring new life into my space with self-made artworks.

FF: Given your body of work, you must have become quite immediately addicted.

AG: I really did! Whatever I do, I dive in fully – so, my journey with painting has been short, but incredibly intense. I began practising for hours every day, and that discipline helped me become familiar with the language of painting surprisingly quickly.

FF: How long did it take you to find your own style and share your creations with the world?

AG: My work has always been rooted in storytelling, colour, texture and contrast, and those elements started showing up naturally from the start. I think when something feels true to who you are, it’s easier to show it, so I was ready to share my work pretty early on – not because it was perfect, but because it was honest.

“My tablescape paintings are dreamy versions of what I’d love to see: fresh flowers, bold colours, fruit and textures… sometimes a little chaos, like real-life”

FF: Can you talk us through your process?

AG: My process is shaped by my life as a wife and mother. I have two sweet girls and an amazing husband, so my days always start by getting them ready and making sure they’re loved before stepping into the studio. That daily routine gives me mental freedom – because, once they’re taken care of, I can fully immerse myself in my work. After that, coffee is always a must – but, even more importantly, I need what I call ‘empty time.’ That’s when I give myself permission to be quiet, to observe how I’m feeling, and to ask myself what colours are speaking to me that day, what stories want to come through. I don’t rush into painting: I sit, I walk around, I might stare at a canvas for an hour before touching it. That space is essential to my process, because it allows intuition to lead.

“That’s the feeling I try to capture: that relaxed, joyful, summer holiday energy, where the table becomes the heart of everything.”

FF: Flowers and tablescapes feature a lot in your paintings. What is it about them that inspires you creatively?

AG: I’m drawn to the everyday beauty of a set table and flowers because they hold memories, emotions and life’s small rituals – especially when shared with friends and family. So, when I paint these scenes, I’m not just painting objects – I’m creating an atmosphere. My tablescape paintings are often dreamy versions of what I’d love to see: fresh flowers, bold colours, fruit, textures – and sometimes a little chaos, like real-life. I don’t plan them from a photo or specific setting, but they always carry a feeling I know well.

FF: We love how perfectly your paintings featured in our flower arranging guides instil that summer feeling. Were they from real-life settings, or did you dream them up?

AG: They’re mostly imagined, but they’re inspired by warm climates like Brazil and the Mediterranean – somewhere where the windows are open, light is pouring in, and you can hear people talking in the background. That’s the feeling I try to capture: that relaxed, joyful, summer holiday energy, where the table becomes the heart of everything.

“Nature isn’t something I visit – it’s something inside me”

FF: Have you always been connected to nature?

AG: Very much so. Nature isn’t something I visit – it’s something inside me. I grew up in country farmhouses, surrounded by greenery. We had horses, open land and trees everywhere, and that connection has stayed with me. It’s a big part of my work and everyday life.

FF: How do you stay connected to nature while living in such a busy city like London – do you have any tips? 

AG: Well, it’s a very big part of my work, so I try to stay connected to it despite the pace of city life. Even if it’s just for a quick walk, I make a point of getting outside daily. It helps clear my head and keeps me grounded, creatively. The green spaces here, especially Holland Park and Ravenscourt Park, are a huge source of inspiration, so you’ll often find me taking walks there to reset.

FF: What’s been your proudest moment so far?

AG: Every painting finished, every message from someone who connected with my work, every time my daughters walk into my studio and smile – that’s what I’m proud of. Those are the moments that matter most. But of course, I can’t not mention some of the incredible milestones I’ve been lucky to experience – like, being part of Partnership Editions, collaborating with Glassette, winning the Delphian Open Call, and working on beautiful collaborations like this one with Freddie’s Flowers. Everything I’ve achieved has been the result of small, consistent steps – so, I feel proud and grateful for the recognition and connections that have come from staying true to my work.

Never miss a sun-dappled moment: follow Aline Gaiad on Instagram, visit her online shop and see your August flowers inspired by her paintings: Sandy Shores, La Terraza, Beyond The Piazza, Santinis At Sundown.