BACK TO CLASSES

 

Two weeks ago marked the end of the school holidays, with students returning to classes on 30th January. The following weekend, 3rd and 4th February must have been the most perfect beach weather. Sunny, but not too hot, with a cool light breeze.

The tide was low in the middle of the day and many people took the opportunity to enjoy themselves.

This photo shows the west end of Jan Juc beach.

Last week marked the return to classes for my students in Melbourne and Geelong. I had set my Melbourne students an exercise called "memories of summer (holidays?)". A topic that is wide open for interpretation.

  

Marcia's simple, somewhat stark, interpretation featured a forked branch of Cork Oak Quercus suber. The branch is part of a much larger one that came off her tree in a wind storm. She is particularly fond of the bark's colour and texture and was pleased this piece did not go into the mulch. The leaves on the branch had dried and fresh leaves were massed in the black vase.

 

Marisha chose roses which flower in this season. She selected some beautiful orange ones with petals that were a darker colour on the outside. These are contrasted with deep green leaves in the main lines, but harmonised with a mass of Dwarf Nandina leaves at the front which are beginning to colour yellow and red. 

Jacqueline's mind went to images of the setting sun colouring the clouds lit from behind in bright yellows and deep reds. She cut three leaves from her Canna Phasion thinking of their shape as well as the intense colours seen in a sunset. The roses which are just peeping from behind the leaves were yellow, orange and deep red.

Yesterday the Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International held its first meeting of the year. The guest presenter was a Japanese born and trained potter, Naoko Coghlan, who now lives in Australia. Naoko gave a short overview of the history of pottery in Japan and demonstrated her own work. Members were asked to bring ceramic vessels to the meeting in which to arrange their ikebana.
 

I was pleased to have an opportunity to use this Bizen vase that I bought in Kurashiki last November. The unglazed clay body is a dark brown marked with irregular lighter blue-greys and tan that have occurred during the firing. I selected Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus', Nandina and Hydrangea from the garden to make this naturalistic ikebana. This photo was taken at home, where I re-set the ikebana.

The Bizen vase is by Isezaki Jun.

Greetings from Christopher

11th February 2024