A Workshop with Kathy demonstrating arrangements using only leaves

April 11, 2022 Ikebana Wellington

The theme of this workshop was from Book 4, lesson 2 “ With Leaves Only”. To quote from Book 4:

“Make an arrangement only with leaves of two or more kinds. … Leaves can show different characteristics by rolling up, tearing, or overlapping them….Try to discover new characteristics of the leaves”.

Our annual AGM was held before Kathy’s workshop. Sandi presided over the meeting as Helen was unable to attend. Helen, Sandi and Kathy have stood down from their committee roles after many years of service to our Sogetsu Teachers’ group. A big thank you to them for all their hard work.

It is a pleasure to welcome Kate Graham as our new Director, Setsuko Kennedy as our new Vice-Director and Lyn Hansen as our new Treasurer. We look forward to working with them.

Satomi

Elizabeth

Masako

Nicole arranged various grape leaves amongst muehlenbeckia

Setsuko

Kate

Lyn

Lyn arranged coloured hydrangea and variegated flax leaves in a tall container

Adriana arranged variegated flax leaves in an interesting container

Sandi arranged rangiora, kawakawa, hebe and flax leaves in an interesting container

Focusing on the Uses of Water with Satomi Takahashi

February 20, 2022 Ikebana Wellington

Satomi adding water to a low black container with hydrangea & branches arranged without using kensan

At our first workshop for 2022, Satomi demonstrated how to arrange material using water as a feature.

From Book 4, lesson 12. “Water is essential to prolong the life of plants, but in this lesson, water is regarded more consciously as an element of the composition” ….. “There are various ways of using water, such as emphasising the water surface, showing the water through a transparent vase, doing so with one container or combining different shapes and textures of containers to present various features of the water”.

Satomi pours water into a large low container. Materials are arranged without kensan

Reflection of hydrangeas and branches in water

Satomi adding water to tall glass vase with upturned glasses with a flower inside each

Satomi adds bare agapanthus flowers and stalks into tall glass vase

Satomi bending broom sprig

Satomi with completed arrangement in double coloured plastic bowls

Satomi arranged hydrangeas and curled broom in a double bowl container

Setsuko explained her arrangement of dahlias and green material in a tall white vase inside a low large container

Erris used dried material on top of a small colourful vase

A single dahlia and flax leaf in a low ceramic vase

Yoko arranged asparagus fern with zinnias in a tall glass vase

Zinnias in Yoko's tall glass vase

Kathy used sunflowers and aloe vera in two glass vases

Elizabeth used a double glass vase with pink petals floating in the water

Helen arranged hydrangea and fern fronds in a glass vase

Satomi is critiquing an arrangement done by a first time member

Two small arrangements by a first time member

Masako used camelia branches with lily and purple flowers in a black rectangular container

Vine and hydrangea easily seen in water in a glass container

Nicole used a pink dahlia with a single fern frond in a glass container

Lynne made good use of a narrow rectangular glass container to highlight the purple flowers

Adriana arranged leaves in a tall glass vase

Sandi arranged flowers and tall pointed leaves in two glass vases

Sogestsu Teacher Lessons from Elizabeth - February to December 2022

February 10, 2022 Ikebana Wellington

Our Sogetsu teachers meet at Elizabeth’s studio to continue learning their ikebana arranging skills.

Topics include:

Book 5 lesson 1.7: Arrangement using Seasonal Plant Materials - sunflowers.
Book 5 lesson 1.5: Arrangement using Seasonal Plant Materials - hydrangeas
Book 4 lesson 10: Arrangement using Vegetables and/or Fruits
Book 4 lesson 13: Arrangement using dried, bleached or coloured materials