Comments on: Beautiful Restraint – Ikebana

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:31:06 +0000

Great arrangements. Do you choose the flowers first and then the arrangement or do you design the arrangement and then choose the flowers?

By: John

John — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:33:32 +0000

Ikebana seems to be a growing community. These were some beautiful arrangements too. Had you gone to the flower show?

ikebanaofrichmond.org

“Friendship through Flowers”
Come browse our forum or look at the photographs

Let me know what you think…

I’ve been to the Philadelphia Flower Show, which is where I saw the arrangements shown here. Thanks for the link to the Richmond site.

Robin
Bumblebee

By: Lisa at Greenbow

Lisa at Greenbow — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:56:13 +0000

I can see why you were enamoured of this art form. You can appreciate every leaf, stick and petal.

I wonder how they bend things. Do they use wires as is done in bonsai? Or do they just look for the exact stem that bends the way they want it to?

By: Bumblebee Blog » Blog Archive » Robin’s Fabulous Flower Show Finds

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:42:42 +0000

[...] couple of days ago I talked about how I am just mad for Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Don’t call the Ikebana police on me, because I’m [...]

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:45:34 +0000

I, too, am a fan of your writing. It seems to come naturally to you and it’s always an interesting read.

We had a florist in our town years ago who practiced this art to a small extent, however I didn’t know what it was called until now. Our school never used him because he ‘wasn’t traditional’. He went out of business and ended up managing another florist and he still has this flair for practicing this ancient art. I find it very interesting.

Thanks, Kate!

I wonder how widespread the sentiment about “traditional” flowers really is?

Robin at Bumblebee

By: Meems

Meems — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:43:04 +0000

okay- I have to admit I scrolled down to look at the photos prior to reading the post and thought “hmmm, those look quite oriental” at which time I scrolled back up to read your great writing (I am a huge fan of your writing).

Anyway, as one who does all my own arranging I like the look of sleek and minimal for certain occasions/places. I don’t love all of the ones you’ve photographed but I could certainly learn (and use) certain aspects of each from them. I am all for using “dead” branches for texture in almost any arrangement. It was a fun post and thank you for sharing the show with us.

Hi Meems,

Thanks so much for the nice complement. I think I needed that today!

Robin at Bumblebee

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:29:16 +0000

Those arrangements are great. Like you, I prefer “less is more”. They’re strickingly beautiful. I’d rather have one single rose…

Yes!

Robin at Bumblebee

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:08:29 +0000

Beautiful! I haven’t heard of Ikebana – I’m glad you shared. I like the minimalist forms and the bold use of background color to set-off the arrangement. These works are so sculpural. They have a life of their own and are more visually interesting than a bunch of flowers. I also like the fact that you can use “dead” items to give them new life in this type of arrangement.

Hah! Yes, it’s one form where dead is acceptable!

Robin at Bumblebee

By: jodi

jodi — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:38:01 +0000

Yes! I love all of these, Robin…they’re very tranquil, and so much more pleasing to my eyes than the garish, over the top things I saw at Canada Blooms a few years back. I have a couple of kenzans and use them for simple but pleasing (to me) arrangements now and again. RIght now the only thing I have is a spray of cornus sericea in one of the kenzans, about to sprout a few leaves, soon, hopefully.

I bought a couple of kenzans too–one incorporated into a shallow vessel. I created my first arrangement yesterday and it’s on my desk. I’m sure I would not win an Ikebana competition, but I like it.

Robin at Bumblebee

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:49:11 +0000

Hi….your love for Ikebana is admirable but most folk do not get it. They insist on selecting an image on a web site or in a shop that has lots of tightly arranged flowers. Most floral designers can make Ikebana or similar higher styled arranegments with lots of negative space and air between flowers. But most of the public would feel cheated and would scream for more flowers. Most will not leave it to the designer to create a piece of art as their gift. Roundy moundy image on a web site preferred!
Ken

Well, Ken, I expect you’re spot on about what most folks want–quantity rather than quality. I also think that if people saw MORE of these types of arrangements, it would be an education to the eye. And I have to say too that when I have asked for something different from some florists, they look at me as if I have sprouted a horn.

Robin at Bumblebee