FINAL CLASSES FOR 2022

During the week before last, I held my final classes for 2022; all of which were held in private homes. I realised rather too late that I had failed to take any photographs of the largest class. However, I have photographs from two other classes both of which had reduced numbers as some of the students were away. The first class was in Melbourne. As the theme was "ikebana at home" students brought their own materials, but worked in unfamiliar vessels and locations rather than on the usual tables.

Jacqueline had chosen a Christmas theme for her slanting ikebana. She had painted a bare branch white and used red Carnations, Dianthus Caryophyllus and some Cypress, Cupressaceae. The addition of the red cord gave a celebratory feel. The vessel is by the New South Wales ceramic artist Ian Jones. 

Marisha made a slanting ikebana "to be seen from above and from all angles". Her materials were yellow Pincushion flowers  Leucospermum cordifolium, Alstromeria and Hop Bush Dodonea, branches. The high sided vessel was intended to hold a pot-plant (maker not noted, sorry).

Marcia set some weeping pine in a curving sweep with a mass of orange Alstromeria as the focal point. The ikebana vase was made by the Victorian ceramic artist Tom Cockram. 

Only two of my Torquay U3A students were able to attend the final class so we had the opportunity for a good long chat. However, we also made ikebana.

 

Like Marisha, Róża also made a spreading ikebana "to be viewed from above". She used pale pink roses from her own garden with long stems extending across a coffee table.

Coralie used flowering Melaleuca armillaris branches, Bullrush leaves Typha orientalis and red ribbon in a large round white ceramic vase. She said she was thinking of the curl of waves as she made this ikebana.

Ikebana in-situ with the makers relaxing before we shared our meal.

Because there were only three of us I made an ikebana as well.

I used the long-lasting New Zealand flax leaves that had previously served as the principle line in the Ryureika I made on 20th November. This time I have turned the shorter leaf to face the taller, so that its back shows to the viewer. A single inflorescence of Red Valerian Centranthus ruber, peeps from between the blades of the flax making a high focal point. Fine leaves of Japanese maple Acer palmatum, help conceal the kenzan. The suiban is a traditional one from Japan and has a deep blue glaze.