Day 144 - Ikebana.

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Day 144 - Hello Monday. It's the start of a new week and I think it's a good day to learn something new. When I was in college, I desperately wanted to take a course in Ikebana or Japanese flower arranging. Needless to say, I never got the opportunity but today I decided to try Ikebana on my own.

After doing some research, the word Ikebana translates to ike, meaning 'alive' or 'arrange' and bana meaning 'flower.'  Ikebana is a true art form and a meditative practice. It takes a years of study to become a master. Typically, what is needed for an Ikebana arrangement is a vessel, a kenzan (flower frog) and flowers. A general and detailed breakdown can be found here at Make Magazine and FTD "The Art Of Ikebana Flower Arrangement." Ikebana is amazing because the arrangements appear very simple however the more I learn, the more I realize it's an incredibly complicated practice. There are over 3000 schools of Ikebana which emphasize balance, minimalism, shape, line, humanity, aesthetics, form and balance. 

Today, I am going to attempt an arrangement but it's going to be very difficult to do this art form justice. I encourage you to try it too for today's project. Find a vessel, buy a flower frog {affiliate link} and trim a bunch of lovely flowers from nature. Now, find silence and focus on the flowers including their shape, color and the negative space they provide. 

Wow. I learned so much with this project. For me this was a difficult practice. There were many factors into making the arrangement work from all aspects. I would move a stem, another one would fall over and ruin the whole aesthetic. I also struggled with creating balance from all angles of the arrangement.

Well, it looks like I have a ton to learn and  years of practice ahead. However, it was amazing to get out of my comfort zone to create something new. Let me know how your arrangement looks and see you tomorrow!