365 Days of Ikebana-Day 194
January 27th, 2012 by Keith
365 Days of Ikebana-Day 190
January 23rd, 2012 by Keith
The only fresh material I had today to work with was the “Mickey Mouse” anthuriums from Saturday’s workshop. I had a long list of things to do today, and I really should have put getting some fresh flowers and foliage at the top. But sometimes you have to work with what you have, and I did. I have a great driftwood branch that I love, and it seemed like a good start. Then I found a structure I had made months ago with cut pieces of rose stems, gold wire and white pearl and gold beads. It’a piece I made just to see what it would look like, and to try to see if I could recycle some of the discarded stems. They almost always go in the trash as they don’t break down very well in the compost. It’s been waiting to be used and tonight it really was the finishing touch I needed for this piece. Hooray for recycling and experimentation!!!
365 Days of Ikebana-Day 188
January 21st, 2012 by Keith
Today the Sogetsu Washington,DC branch held a workshop with member demonstrator Yoko Sprague leading the workshop with the theme of “Celebrations in Red and White”. She gave a really creative and interesting demonstration and then members had 30 minutes to create their own ikebana works based on this theme with the materials they had brought themselves. This provided quite a variety of designs with different flowers, branches and unconventional materials. It’a great to see other ikebana artists and learn from the critques and suggestions that come from workshops. I always learn new ways to use materials (and learn of new materials as well) and get to see great containers. Our next workshop in March will use either new containers we have, or one that we have never used before (it will be a great opportunity to try a container that might be more difficult to use too).
365 Days of Ikebana-Day 186
January 19th, 2012 by Keith
I’m away from home today, but still working on daily ikebana. Luckily my partner’s mother has a large selection of vases to work with, and some quince branches in bud. Quince is such great material if you have it, and this time of year it is widely available in wholesale and retail florists. Lots of people have it in their yard and would love to have some of it pruned for them. I have even found it growing wild, so it’s work a look around your neighborhood to see if you can spot it. Another great branch to force right now is plum, small buds that after a few days plump up and bloom nicely.
