She didn't have to invent anything," Lanier said. Asawa loved flowers and received bouquets throughout the year — not just on Mother's Day, and not just from her family. Well-wishers often gave ...

The late artist Ruth Asawa regularly drew the bouquets people gave her. Years later, some of the sketches made it back to those who gave flowers.

The late artist Ruth Asawa regularly drew the bouquets people gave her. Years later, some of the sketches made it back to those who gave flowers. Mother's Day flowers don't last, but these bouquet ...

The pictured bouquet was gifted to the artist by Anni Albers in 1990. Asawa had six children, so she got a lot of flowers from them on Mother's Day, too. "Her table would be like a funeral ...