1st Marc, 2021

Creative, busy bees.

Hello all,

Yesterday I ran an introduction to ikebana class at the Bulleen Art and Garden (BAAG) centre. There were seven quite interested and engaged participants, which made my job easy. I provided suiban containers, kenzans and fresh materials, all of which the participants took home at the end of the lesson. I demonstrated the basic upright arrangement, the first lesson in the curriculum, and then assisted them to create their own. I was very happy with their work and the feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive. There is another such class planned for the 30th May.

By the way, if you're not familiar with BAAG, I recommend checking it out because it is a nursery with a difference. 

My classes, scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month, had to be postponed due to a snap lockdown and were, instead, held the following week. Half the students came on Wednesday and the other half on Thursday because we were permitted only five visitors per day. 

For the advanced students I provided gymea leaves for them to explore the properties of this very strong material and use in an arrangement. Below is my arrangement. I used gymea leaves amaranthus and a belladonna lily in two, matching ceramic containers.

Bredenia used one leaf with browning edges, which picked up the colour of the leucodendron flowers. The ceramic container has a split only at the front, which makes it rather difficult to use.

 

Nicole used two yellowing leaves to complement the yellow kangaroo paws in a ceramic container, which has one large and one smaller opening.

Maren used two leaves and two pineapple lilies in a ceramic container with a large opening at the front and a smaller at the back.

With Jenny's arrangement there was some debate whether she use a flower in her strong modern arrangement or not. It's a personal choice but either would satisfy me.

Without flower

With flower (Dutch iris)

Vicky's very tall and strong arrangement loses something in the photograph. She used Oriental lily buds with the two gymea leaves in a resin container.

Lucy used three leaves, selecting one with browning edges to relate to the aeonium flower behind it. The ceramic container is shaped like a sail and has openings on either side.

Shaneen's curriculum lesson was a revision of the theme 'With flowers only'. She used crucifix orchids, statice and society garlic flowers in a ceramic container.

And Dianne's lesson was a floating arrangement. She used two cordyline leaves and floating Japanese anemones, flowers and leaves.

Bye for now,

Emily