Inside Lilia Daniela’s World of Ephemeral Art and the Beauty of Impermanence

Based in Brisbane, Australia, ephemeral artist Lilia Daniela works with leaves, flowers, and other foraged materials to create delicate, balanced compositions—capturing their fleeting beauty through photography. In this interview, she shares her unique approach to making art that exists only briefly before returning to nature.

She opens up about her deep connection to nature, the meditative process of arranging each piece without glue, and the significance of letting go. Lilia also reflects on how her non-traditional artistic journey has shaped her creative freedom and the mindful way she selects natural materials. Through her insights, we gain a deeper appreciation for impermanence, the cycles of nature, and the beauty of art that exists to be experienced before it fades away.

Lilia Daniela is an ephemeral Artist living in Brisbane, Australia. Like everything in nature, her art is ephemeral- here for a time before it is gone. The works are created using nature’s elements- leaves, sticks, flowers, and seeds, drawing inspiration from observing the natural world and utilizing the foraged materials. The photographs are taken to capture the beauty of nature’s transient moments in each piece. Lilia is often asked if the works can be preserved, in truth the originals no longer exist. This impermanence is part of what draws her to the process. Lilia finds there is significance in releasing the work once it is done, finding meaning in letting go.

1.   Your art is beautifully transient—what draws you to working with impermanent materials?

While I’ve enjoyed experimenting with various mediums, nature has been the most captivating. From the moment I started working with it, I felt an immediate connection and a sense that it was the perfect fit. In simple terms, I have a deep love for nature, but what captivates me is how it makes me feel. There’s something incredibly healing and soothing about being in nature, and working with it tangibly in my hands, being inspired by it, feels like an extension of the calm and peace I experience when I am amongst it. Nature is ever-changing and transient; to truly appreciate it is to recognize and appreciate its cycles. Working with it, I aim to honor those cycles, allowing my artworks to reflect that transience.

Nature is ever-changing and transient; to truly appreciate it is to recognize and appreciate its cycles.

Lilia Daniela

2.  You carefully balance each piece without glue or tape. How do you approach that delicate process?  

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed “fiddly tasks” that demand patience and precision. The pieces I create require a lot of focus, patience, and a steady hand. There’s also a bit of holding my breath as I carefully place each piece! One challenge I face is that I can’t step back and view the artwork since nothing is glued down, and everything must stay flat. So, taking photos becomes an essential part of the process, allowing me to see it from a fresh perspective.

3.  Letting go seems central to your work. What does that act of release mean to you?  

That’s a great question, and I believe the answer is shaped by many experiences that have influenced me over time. Having moved around quite a bit in my early years into my late teens, the change felt part of my experience, learning to release and be open to new adventures. It instilled in me the understanding that things come and go. I think this idea of release and impermanence is something I carry with me in my work. It serves as a reminder for me not to hold on too tightly to the things I create.

While my art is essential, it’s equally important to let go of it and move through its life cycle, much like I try to do with my own experiences. This release process helps me stay grounded and mindful of the impermanence of all things. It allows me to create freely, without fear of attachment, and embrace the beauty of the ever-changing journey. Letting go of the original pieces of my art also reflects a more profound respect for nature and its natural rhythms. By allowing the pieces to be transient, I honor the cyclical nature of life itself—the ebb and flow, the creation and decay. It’s a way of aligning myself with the world around me and acknowledging that everything is constantly changing.

4.   You come from a non-traditional art background. How has that shaped your creative journey? 

Although my path in art hasn’t followed a traditional route of formal education, art has always been a fundamental part of who I am—an essential part of my identity and life. Over the years, I’ve taken various short courses and workshops and attended a night art school while my kids were toddlers. Art became my safe space—something I could turn to for calm and relaxation without the pressure of turning it into a career. This freedom allowed me to experiment, make mistakes, play, and learn at my own pace. Now, I feel more confident and grounded, ready to share my work with the world, knowing that, like nature, there’s a time for everything.

Creating art from natural materials has made me more mindful of our environment and the need to slow down and appreciate each season.

Lilia Daniela

5.  How do you decide which natural materials to use, and what role does the environment play in your work?  

Creating art from natural materials has made me more mindful of our environment and the need to slow down and appreciate each season. I mostly “pick” things from my garden as different blooms come into season. When I’m out in nature, I collect only fallen or abundant items, being careful not to disturb the surrounding environment. My approach varies, but typically, I collect things that catch my eye—whether it’s their color, texture, or something else that draws me in. I usually start by experimenting, pressing some items while drying the rest. After that, I store things for as long as they last by color, which helps guide my decision on which materials to use. The choice of colors often leads the way. For example, if I’m in the mood to work with red tones, I’ll sift through what I have in those shades, then head to my garden to find fresh elements that complement the tone of the piece I’m working on.

6. Your photographs preserve the fleeting nature of your art—how do you see the relationship between the artwork and its captured image?    

I appreciate that no one owns the originals—not even me. They existed for what they were then, almost like they’ve been released back to where they belong. That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy them or hold onto the memories of what they were, though. The photographs are essential for preserving a record of them, allowing me to remember how I felt while creating them or the challenges I faced. Much like taking a photo to capture a memorable moment, these photographs serve as reminders of something meaningful that once was. Offering my work as prints comes from a deep desire to share my art and nature’s calming, healing power. I hope these pieces resonate with people and serve as a reminder of the beauty in nature’s cycle.

Lilia Daniela’s art reminds us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the present moment. Just like nature, her work constantly changes, teaching us that nothing lasts forever—and that’s okay. Through her creative process, she encourages us to embrace change, let go of what we can’t hold onto, and find joy in life’s simple, fleeting moments. To learn more about Lilia, click the following links to visit her profile.

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