Collage Diva

Pause 21 - Ikebana for Christmas

 

This ikebana arrangement uses branches, amaryllis, and baby's breath. Stunning, isn't it?

Check out the interesting branch on the right. I carefully cut the branches so I could keep this section.

From this angle I like how the amaryllis are seen through the branches.

 This is how the arrangement looks from above.

 

I made this second arrangement to bring into the office. Materials used evergreens, ginger, and baby's breath.

In ikebana, baby's breath is only used during the Christmas season to represent snow. In the west we stuff arrangements with baby's breath and use it as a filler.

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To learn more about where I am taking classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Pause 14 - Ikebana for Hanukkah

The ikebana lesson this week reverses the placement of the main branches. Typically the branches are the longest stems and the flowers are the shorter ones. I decided to reverse this too as I was thinking of the privet as low shrubs. To compliment the tiny blue berries I selected blue delphiniums.

Check out the shadows.

This is my favorite angle of this arrangement.

For my friends who are observing Hanukkah, I dedicate this arrangement to you.

Related Links:

December Views

Creative Every Day    

To learn more about where I am taking classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.

 

Pause 13 - Rejoice

Today I share with you my newest Ikebana arrangement. Each week I am now creating an arrangement on my own to practice what I have learned. This arrangement will go to work with me on Monday so my coworkers and I can enjoy it throughout the week. 

The materials I selected will be obvious to my Catholic friends and co-workers. Today is the third Sunday in Advent, traditionally called, "Gaudette Sunday." The Latin translation or gaudette means rejoice. The dried leaves are actually prayer leaves. I thought them fitting the purpose of the arrangement but they also tie in with my newest True North Arts project on prayerful journaling. 

This photo was not in focus so I tweaked it in Photoshop. Do you like it?

Follow the pink flowers starting from the top and working your way around counter-clockwise. Notice the spiral in the dish. Notice the relationship of the prayer leaves with the flowers. Pause for a moment to think about our own lives and the prayers that touch us and those around us. Can you see the circle of life in this photo?

Each flower and each leaf were selected and placed carefully. I'm particularly interested in the relationship between the flowers and prayer leaves. I wrapped this prayer leaf to embrace the calla lily.

Here is a look at that same pair but from another angle. As I look at this photo I am reminded of my own prayer to share my life with a companion. I am the pink calla lily you see above and my prayer to be embraced is the leaf that curls up and around. I share these reflections with you so you can see that there is much more to Ikebana Japanese flower arranging than making a beautiful arrangement. Each arrangement is an opportunity to reflect upon our own relationships.

Here is a detailed shot of a prayer leaf. These leaves when fresh are open during the day and curl at night. They are called prayer leaves for how they look when curled. Notice how the color of these leaves match my dish. The outer leaves look like they are made from metal.

Working with unique and unusual materials is one of my favorite things about ikebana.

Thank you for stopping by. As my Catholic friends light their pink candles this week, I will remember them with my pink calla lily and prayer leaf arrangement.

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Pause 7 - Ikebana Winter

On Saturday I had an ikebana class (Japanese flower arranging). I'm now at the level where I can select my own materials. In ikebana, we bring nature inside and use materials that reflect the season. Knowing that our first snow fall was due later in the day, I selected a white palette to work with. Don't the football mums look like snowballs?

What I love about taking these classes is that I have a beautiful arrangement that I can enjoy at home.

Today I pause and look at my flower arrangement and feel so lucky to have this opportunity to learn this art form and to enjoy nature in a new way. How do you bring nature into your home in this season?

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Don't miss a chance to win a True North Arts gift certificate. Click here for details.

  

 

AEDM #21 - Ikebana Book

Today I'm working on a book, "Ikebana Moribana Style." It is a simple 7" x 7" book of photos of my first ten arrangements. All I have left to do before I hit the order button is to write my introduction. Here is a look at a couple of the spreads.

I decided to keep the book simple. I have at least one photo of each arrangement and some arrangements have a second detailed shot. The title identifies the style and the materials used. This book will be a good record of my lessons.

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Art Every Day Month

Ikebana - Lesson 11

Today's Ikebana lesson is my first arrangement in the Nageire style. This is where the vase is a tall cylinder. In the West we stuff the flowers into the vase and they can touch the bottom. In Ikebana the flowers are balanced on the side of the vase or on other branches and don't touch the bottom. Pictured above shows two branches carefully cut to create some additional edges to balance the branches and stems. To test that they are measured correctly, you pick up the vase by the branches. Then you fill up the vase with water and try picking it up again. I was so surprised at how quickly I was able to get this right.

You can also see the original plant that I cut the branches from, the clippers, my lesson book, tea, and a napkin for my sweet treat.

Materials used: branch - solidago; flower - celosia

The vase is handmade by a man who lives locally. When my instructor told me that the vase was made by a man who is an 80-year old, retired engineer, who graduated from Worcester Polytech Institute, I thought that sounded familiar. You see my dad will be 80 in the summer and he too is a retired engineer who went to WPI. When I came home I phoned my dad and sure enough my dad remembers going to college with this man. Wow! What a small world! I'm so happy to have one of his vases.

Here is a look at the arrangement from the side. I'm loving those shadows!

The celiosa has great texture. I learned today that celiosa wink. When I was selecting my flowers, I noticed some were a bit bent down and my teacher told me that they will eventually do this and that it is referred to as a wink.

The lengths of the branches and flowers are measured in the same way as my other arrangements. In fact, this is the same layout as my very first lesson - the number of branches and flowers, the position, the angles and directions -- only now we balance them instead of using a Kenzan (flower holder).

It is neat to see how the arrangement looks so different from this angle. Looking down you can see the balance of each piece.

Here is a close up of how the branches and stems are placed in the holder. We can only use two quadrants when placing the material. It doesn't matter which two quadrants. What is amazing is how sturdy it is. When I moved the arrangement to place it on the stage there was no movement. This is a sign that I did it right. At first it felt strange placing the branch but in no time I was getting a real feel for it. I could feel when I found the sweet spot. The branch just goes in and stays there.

The next 9 arrangements will be variations of this style. I'm looking forward to the next class in a few weeks as we move from fall to winter plants.

To learn more about where I am taking classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Creative Every Day - Art Every Day Month Challenge (AEDM)

Ikebana - Lesson 10 Freestyle!

In this week's Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) class I was able to select the materials to use and arrange them any which way I choose. Today it was freestyle. I felt prepared as I reviewed every arrangement that I made so far and studied the lessons in the book. I felt like I had a good grasp of the material and could then empty my mind and work intuitively. Before class I took a walk - it was a beautiful autumn day. Lately I've noticed a lot of berries in my neighborhood, more so than in previous years. Perhaps I'm just growing more observant? 

I love the feeling of a canopy and wanted to convey this in my arrangement. The material I chose was eucalyptus and rose hips for their contrasting colors. I was drawn to the main eucalyptus branch for its strong curve - I knew this would help me to achieve that canopy look. The rose hips reminded me of the berries I had seen in my walks.

Set against a black background you can really see how the color of the dish matches the color of the eucalyptus. 

What this arrangement doesn't show was the work that went into it. I first started by cutting the largest branch and placing it in the front left position - my thinking was that I want to emphasis the curve by placing it at a diagonal. The branch is thick and had to be cut at an angle. But no matter what I did it wouldn't stay in the holder. I pushed and banged on it hoping that more pins would hold it. I ended up bending most of the pins in that spot to a point that it wouldn't hold anything. Fortunately my teacher has a pin straightener. I pulled everything out to begin again. My frustration was only mild, much to my surprise.

With the pins now straightened again, I trimmed the end of the branch and tried again. It looked like it was going in and then it would fall out. Talking to the branch I said, "fine, let's try you in the back top position." Much to my surprise it slipped right in and was sturdy! I realized that I was forcing the branch in the wrong position and I wasn't listening to the branch. I know it sounds crazy but I really do believe that each element of any design has an intended place - one where the energy flows, one where everything fits gracefully - this is what is called the elegant solution. The rose hips then fell into place.

I absolutely love how the arrangement looks when I look down on it. I think this may be my favorite arrangement at this angle. Notice how the kenzan (the holder) is hiddened. The balance between the berries and the main branch shows great movement. I love the lines in the bottom of the dish swirling around adding more movement. Even the orange spots in the dish (look in the upper right) coordinate with the rose hips. This dish is so much fun to work with. It has a way of complimenting each of my arrangements.

Look at the arrangement from this angle. I love it!

See the second tallest branch? I have my teacher to thank for guiding me in the direction of adding it. I cut all of the leaves to emphasize the line and I picked this particular branch as it had a curve that follows the main branch. The rose hips too have a similar curve. By placing materials with the same line strengthens the line that I wanted to emphasize. This shot also gives you a good glimpse at the kenzan (holder). Notice how those pins look all nice and straight. I'm laughing now thinking about how I was wrestling with the branch and squashing those pins. It is a good thing the kenzan is so sturdy.

While sitting in the workshop and drawing my arrangement I noticed the shadows of the seeds on the Eucalyptus leaves. Isn't this simple arrangement filled with so many details?

What this lesson taught me is to listen to the material - to really observe the lines and to work with the natural inclinations not against them. I also learned that I have a lot of practice and many more arrangements that I need to make. I can see just how much I have learned and I'm delighted by how this arrangement turned out.

Next week I begin my next round of classes and I will move from the shallow dish to the tall cylindrical dishes. I think each week I will continue to practice on my own what I've learned with this Moribana (low dish) style so I can practice my skills. Stay tuned for more of my adventures with Ikebana.

To learn more about where I am taking classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Creative Every Day - Art Every Day Month Challenge (AEDM)

Ikebana - Lesson 9

I knew I would need to do some pruning when my teacher handed me these auburn maples for today's Ikebana arrangement.

I picked up each branch to look for the lines and any interesting details. Can you see the very cool seed-pods?

I was breath-taken by the arrangement when I was done. I have such a strong reaction inside when I finish my arrangements and step back to look at them. I feel an intensity that I would describe as rapture and I hold back the tears. My photos really don't do the arrangement justice. This week I'm making a list of things that put a smile on my face, make me laugh, and light my fire -- the practice of Ikebana is definitely making it on the list.

I'm impressed with the lines and form from the side view.

Notice how each of the seed-pods hang at different heights - this keeps the eye moving around the arrangement. I love looking at the placement of the Alstroemeria (also known as Peruvian Lily) in the back and the branch diagonally placed behind it - don't they look like an unusual yet attractive couple dancing together? A graceful feminine lily with a hardy and sturdy maple.

Oooh look at how vibrant the arrangement is set against a blue background.

Look at my couple, are they not dazzling? The lily is sporting a precious bud. This combination is one I would not have selected on my own. Each week I am surprised and delighted by the variety of materials I get to use and the combinations that my teacher selects.

As I look down on the arrangement I can see how each branch and flower is placed around the Kenzan (holder).

I couldn't resist taking a couple of detailed shots.

These flowers are so perfect they almost look like fake ones made of silk.

I end with a formal shot set in a traditional Tokonama.

My next class in two weeks will be my last of this second series and my tenth arrangement. It will be my first free-style arrangement. Between now and then I will be studying up on what I've learned. I'm looking forward to the next challenge!

To learn more about where I am taking classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Ikebana - Lesson 8

Looking back on all of my photos from my Ikebana lessons, I realized that I hadn't taken a good overview shot of the tokonoma. This alcove is the focal point of the traditional Japanese house. Here a scroll with a painting appropriate to the season, or a poem or wise saying to suit the occasion and written in bold or delicate strokes, is hung. A single object is brought out of storage for viewing and enjoyment with fresh eyes for a short time. This is also where flower arrangements are placed. 

Can you see the difference with these two arrangements?

The arrangement on the right has two additional elements. Only one can be seen in this photo. Your eye probably caught the tall curved leaf. Interesting isn't it to see how the addition of this simple, yet elegant line adds to the arrangement. When I was encouraged to add it, I was careful not to interrupt the open space. Now look at the top of the far right branch of orchids. Follow the line down to the millet and keep following the line as it moves up in a circle along the left, traveling up, up to the top of the next tall orchid branch. The tips of the millet bend in and support this movement.

Set against the blue background, the arrangement takes on a different energy. The orchids and purple millet reflect a different color. I really like the shadow of the orchids on the right. Doesn't it look like the little orchids are dancing along the floor and up the wall?

I love taking photos of the details. I like how the orchids look tucked in and nestled by the purple millet. This was achieved by placing each element along the same line.

This is my favorite angle of this particular arrangement. Doesn't it look so full? All of the lines are so interesting.

As we look down on the arrangement we see how the lines in the dish bottom mirrors the lines in that curved leaf. Scroll back up and compare these curves.

This was a challenging arrangement for me. The second tallest and smallest main branches were reversed which means their companion plants are also reversed. This was a mind bender for me. Also, the soft material, the orchid, took the dominant position, whereas up until now I would have used the millet in that place. I also used additional "companion" plants. Before now we had three main stems with three companions. Note that we use an odd number and avoid "four" as this represents death in the Chinese and Japanese traditions. I added two branches of orchids which all had to be of different heights. This brought my total of companions to five. Then the two leaves were added bringing my final total of companions to seven. Since the leaves came from the millet plant it counts as the same material. As challenging as it is, learning this style of flower arranging is so much fun!

To learn more about where I am taking my classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Ikebana -Lesson 7

Broom corn and sedem are used in the Ikebana arrangement this week.The sampler above shows the arrangement set against three different colored backgrounds.

This style is called moribana meaning arrangements in a shallow container. Each week, the focus has been on different variations of the moribana style. The example shown above shows the tallest and second tallest broom corn stalks spread out like a fan. Can you see it?

The material that is selected is always of flowers that are in season. The idea behind the ikebana arrangement is that we are bringing nature in doors. Plastic and silk flowers are never used in ikebana, but dried flowers like the broom corn seen here provides a wonderful seasonal display.

Yesterday was the harvest full moon -- can you think of a more perfect subject for an ikebana arrangement?

Rich autumn color, texture, and shape makes sedem a perfect companion to the broom corn. Sedem also dries well so this arrangement will last for most of the season.

Each arrangement is studied from above.

A rock path is used when the kenzan (flower holder) is position in the back of the container. The markings of the container lend a river bottom look.

The arrangement is placed in a tokonoma, an alcove found in a traditional Japanese house.

The final part of the lesson is to take notes and draw diagrams of the final lesson. Here you can see a page from my notebook. If you didn't see the fan that I pointed out in the photos above, you can see from my notes where to look.

Here is a diagram of the layout as seen from above.

Sketching the arrangement is a necessary step. It slows us down to really notice the details.

To learn more about where I am taking my classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.