Junior Student
I had the pleasure of conducting my first junior lesson for the 2015 programme. My young student has a wonderful eye for art and design with the material she had to work with plus showing a brilliant sense of photographing her work.
As an introduction to Sogetsu ikebana I thought the best approach was to allow free choice of material and container. My instructions outlined the importance of Line, Colour and Mass (the elements of Sogetsu). Another point I stressed was to show something special – in other words a focal point. With the very basic rules of design outlined the next stage was the instruction how to use of a hassami and kenzan. I am a believer in starting with the correct tools and methods even with small hands these skill are soon mastered. During the two-hour lesson, I will encouraged my students to draw their arrangement as well as taking a photographic record (both skills develop the power to see what you are looking at).
There is something magical about teaching children, maybe because they see everything through fresh and uncomplicated eyes whilst embarking on a journey of discovery.