Students @ work
Before and after correction

This type of Cryptomeria is fun to use because of the strange growth. The assignment was to make a free style arrangement that brings out the special character of the Cryptomeria.

In the first picture you can see already a nice line by the way the upward-branch is placed. But by the way the left branch hangs over the vase gives the arrangement a bit of a sad feeling, so I asked my student to bring this left branch up to give the whole arrangement a strong feeling.

You can see the result in the second picture. In my opinion a well done creation.

Material: Cryptomeria japonica 'Cristata', Anthurium.

Workshop of the Belgian Sogetsu Azalea Studygroup by Masako Higashi

The workshop was given by Masako Higashi, a Japanese Sogetsu Ikebana teacher who learned ikebana from her mother.  She lives in the Netherlands where she has her atelier and is doing Ikebana for more than 35 years.

The workshop was inspired by the fact the design of a Tokonoma and designs by Mondriaan are very similar and based on the same principles.   Tokonoma is a special place in a traditional Japanese home, where there is usually a scroll with calligraphy and a flower arrangement displayed.  

The purpose of the workshop was to make first a vase inspired by Mondriaan and then make an ikebana arrangement in this vase.  For the arrangements made by other participants please click here to see the album on our facebook page

#ikebana #sogetsu #floralart #いけばな #生花 #Mondriaan

Coming just from Japan, and being a little disorganized the first 2 days I was not sure how many students where going to attend class. Advanced students bring there own material to practise, but for the others I provide material.

Since we are still in the autumn season I choose to use beautiful dried Magnolia leaves which where gathered somewhere in October together with Physalis (also dried) or Salix'Sekka' and steel grass (fresh). Two of my male beginning students (they had only 5 lessons) were very keen to try out this material and challenge themselves.

I made an example and explained about line and mass they came up with a very nice arrangement of their own.


Material: Magnolia leaves, Salix 'Sekka', steel grass

This makes it easy for beginners to start exploring and come to a nice and enjoyable result. More advanced members can learn new and more advanced techniques.
The founder of the Sogetsu Ikebana School, Sofu Teshigahara, once said that Ikebana is an art form that can be practiced anytime, everywhere, and by anyone. Online Ikebana follows that believe and  by starting this membership website it wants to increase the number of people enjoying ikebana worldwide.

Members can take a monthly or yearly subscription. Regularly new video's will be posted and in the near future guest instructors will give online workshops. The videos are also available on tablet and smartphone. 
 
Online Ikebana is initiated by Ilse Beunen, who is also the main instructor.  She is a licensed teacher with a great passion for ikebana.  She lived 11 years in Japan where she started Ikebana more than 25 years ago.  She has now more than 18 years’ experience in teaching ikebana.  

Part of the content is available for free after registering at http://www.ikebana.be/free-online-ikebana-classes.html

Background    
Ilse Beunen is also the author of the book "Exploring Ikebana", http://www.stichtingkunstboek.com/en/book/detail/1390/exploring-ikebana  and has more than 5000 followers on her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ikebanabelgium.

Free Ikebana Lesson

Ilse Beunen started recently with an online ikebana membership site with also some free content.
Do you want to learn how to make this arrangement. Check out Online Ikebana for a free online class. Register and enjoy.

http://www.ikebana.be/free-online-ikebana-classes.html



#onlineikebana #いけばば #草月 #ikebana #sogetsu

But for 20 of our biggest fans we have a special 20% early bird discount. You get full access before everybody else, in 3 easy steps:

1. Go to http://online.ikebana.be/
2. Click on Join Us.
3. Put in the early bird coupon code and get your 20% discount.

Early bird coupon code: EARLYBIRDIKEBANA

This offer expires at midnight on October 1st Belgian time.

The word Ikebana rings a bell for most, but not many people can define or grasp its essence. Exploring Ikebana wants to change this. This book is a comprehensive introduction into the art and wants to unveil some of the secrecy and philosophical ideas projected into this ancient Japanese style of flower design. Exploring Ikebana is a no-nonsense but respectful approach to the art, that will demonstrate that Ikebana arrangements are achievable for all.

After an introductory chapter on shools, styles, utensils, techniques and other basics; this books hands arrangements in traditional and modern styles, made with natural and contemporary materials. Every arrangement is richly illustrated with detailed step-by-step photographs of the creative process, making it easy for even the novice to follow and come to a correct and enjoyable result. And in the end, enjoying the fleeting beauty of flowers to the fullest is what Ikebana is all about.

Avaliable at all major online and offline bookstores and with the publisher, Click here to order.

Also available at our atelier in Antwerp, Onafhankelijkheidslaan 5, 2020 Antwerp.  Send us an email at info@ikebana.be if you would like to pick up a copy.

We used polygonum for an ikebana installation of the Van Bever Organ of the Sint-Pieters Church of Jette-Brussels. 

We would like to express a special thank you for Gerda, Monique, Ria and Danny for making this arrangement possible.  And of course also a big thank you to Pastor Dirk for holding the ladder.

Ikebana: Ilse Beunen, Gerda Matthys, Monique Bogaert, Ria & Danny Beckers
Material: Bamboo, Polygonum gypsophyla,rosehip
Photography: Ben Huybrechts

#ikebana #sogetsu #いけばな #生花 #草月

Ikebana : Ilse Beunen
Photography: Ben Huybrechts
Material : grape vine, tulip, monstera leaf

#ikebana #sogetsu #いけばな #生花 #草月

The assignment was to make an arrangement inspired by the colors of a picture. Monique, one of Ilse's students, did a wonderful job.

Ikebana: Monique Bogaerts
Photography: Ben Huybrechts
Material: Callas, Green trick, Hosta leaf, Dahlia, Cotinus.