
The Poetry and Art of Michal (Mitak) Mahgerefteh
Alexandria | Norfolk, Virginia


"Everlasting Memories:
One Petal at a Time" Series
Digital Collage
This series is a deeply personal tribute to the floral fields and citrus groves that surrounded my grandmother’s home—a place where memory and nature intertwined in sunlit harmony. Each digital collage captures the vibrant essence of those fragrant days, when time seemed to slow, and the gentle rhythm of life was guided by the blooming of flowers and the soft sounds of animals she nurtured.
Drawing from my Moroccan heritage and a lifetime of poetic expression, I use digital tools to layer petals, textures, and color into visual odes of remembrance. Each pigmented print is then individually embellished with water media—such as pastel, watercolor, markers, and Indian ink—adding depth, texture, and a tactile presence that bridges the digital and handmade.
The process is intuitive and reflective, honoring not only the beauty of the natural world but the warmth, care, and quiet strength of a woman whose love still lingers in every bloom. Through this work, I hope to offer viewers a moment of stillness—a return to a garden of memory, one petal at a time.