Thursday 9 September 2021

Thursday Art Date With Rain -- "Minimalism"

I've always been drawn to the minimalist aesthetic 
found in classic Japanese art, poetry and philosophy 
with its spirit of simplicity and belief that "less is more."

The Japanese art of ikebana (flower arranging)
particularly embodies these ideals, expressed
not only through limited use of flowers
and greenery, but also in the asymmetry 
of their arrangement, direction and height.

So for Rain's Art Date theme this week,
I have tried my inexpert hand at creating
three ikebana arrangements, which I
photographed beside some souvenir trinkets
brought back from our trip to Japan in 2012.

(1) Gladiolus with two 
modified gladiolus leaves 
and a maneki-neko (beckoning cat):


(2) Iris with a modified weed 
from my back alley 
and a cat coaster:


(3) Star of Bethlehem with 
modified pine and juniper fronds 
and a fish kites banner:


[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, August 2021]

52 comments:

Val Ewing said...

These are beatuiful!

Travel said...

Very nice, we talk about it, but seldom do flowers that way.

Rommy said...

Those turned out so well! I've never done ikebana (LOL, I've seen plenty of it at Shofuso). I have done a very simplified sort of arrangement for tea rooms, but that's supposed to use really non-showy plants.

Mistress Maddie said...

Very cool Debs!!! Keep this up and you'll find yourself working at the floral shop with me.

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Oh, this is so beautiful!
I especially like the gladiolus one. Now I'm going to have to go to youtube and go down the rabbit hole with this.

XOXO

Boud said...

These are lovely. I do like vignettes, expressive without going overboard.

Marie Smith said...

So pretty. Peaceful and easy to take in!

Christine said...

These are wonderful Andrea!

Christine said...

I meant to say These are wonderful Debra, I was looking at Andrea's name and hitting your link!

bobbie said...

Well done! I've always loved Ikebana for its simple strength.

Marcia LaRue said...

So beautifully done!

Lady M said...

Your use of lowly modified weeds to create something beautiful is inspiring.

Busy Bee Suz said...

They are so very pretty. There is something beautiful about the simplicity of a single flower/color.

Bob said...

Gorgeous.
I love the simplicity because it makes the beauty of each flower the focus.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Debra,

I really like what you did with this week's prompt -lovely and creative. It's so nice to see how others interpret the challenge and how they're inspired to display their ideas. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my niche today. Have a doodletastic day, my dear!

Adam said...

Very beautiful

Parnassus said...

Hello Debra, I bow to your skill. The once or twice I tried arranging flowers, they looked worse with every adjustment. I think you achieved the exact spirit you were looking for!
--Jim

Liz Hinds said...

Beautiful! I like the second one best.

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful flower arrangements, one lovelier than the other, well done Debra! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

e said...

I love the upcycling of the alley weed. Buy one flower, snip one weed, and there you are! Art!

Tundra Bunny said...

I like them all -- well done!

yellowdoggranny said...

my daughter took classes to learn Ikebana and got to do arrangements at one of the museums in San Francisco. Wish I could remember which one. But I was so proud of her. I love your arrangements.

Guillaume said...

It's hard to be minimalist with a little boy who loves his toys. Cool cats.

Mike said...

If I took an ikebana course I would flunk badly.

Laura J said...

These are lovely!

Joanne Noragon said...

I know nothing of Ikebana, and can only say the arrangements meet your stated criteria. Good job.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

The colors, lines, and shapes work very nicely with their paired Japanese pieces. You have a sharp eye and many talents.

peppylady (Dora) said...

Older I get the more I realize less is the best. Flowers are quite lovely.
Coffee is on and stay safe

David M. Gascoigne, said...

When I think of all that I have accumulated over the years, I think I need to focus on minimalism a little more!

Moving with Mitchell said...

These are stunning! How long do they last?

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Moving with Mitchell -- Depending on the flower, they only last 2 or 3 days. There's not a lot of water in an ikebana dish, so you have to replenish it frequently.

LL Cool Joe said...

Your modified weed from your back alley made me laugh. As the actress said to the bishop.

Very beautiful.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Sorry I am so late visiting. I was so sick yesterday, I could barely sit up. Something I ate, I guess. You had me at CAT, but I love how you arrange flowers so flawlessly. These are incredibly minimal (and beautiful), too.

Debi said...

You Have the technique, delicate and understated, well done! Thank for the link to another FAB Blog! and just being a wonderful soul.

Rain said...

You nailed is sister! ☺ These are just beautiful and brilliant. What a creative idea and you have the talent for it. I LOVE the Iris with modified weed...it's just beautifully done. So glad you are participating more!!! ☺♥

Moving with Mitchell said...

So worth YOUR work, Debra. I’m blown away.

This N That said...

Lovely arrangements..I was thinking about something like that yesterday to place in front of the mirror over my bathroom sink...Have a good weekend..

Fundy Blue said...

You continue to amaze me, Debra! Your ikebana arrangements are really pretty, and I like the objects you chose to pair them with. Happy weekend, my talented friend!

Ur-spo said...

Lovely !
I like this sort of minimal art as well.

Sue Bursztynski said...

Very nice work, Debra, not only the flower arrangements but your thoughts of what should go with them. Well done!

roughterrain crane said...

Great art. I heard it takes long time of lesson to express spiritual beauty in ikebana.

Barbara said...

The Iris and the Weed is my personal favorite but you did a great job on all. Keep on with your creativity.

Mica said...

These are such beautiful minimalist arrangements! You are very talented, they look so pretty and you paired them nicely with souvenirs :)

Hope you are having a nice weekend :) Busy Sunday here, after 3 parties yesterday we have another one to go to today!

Away From The Blue

John M said...

Soothing.

NatureFootstep said...

love yoru flower arrangements :) And the cat :)

Magaly Guerrero said...

I like them all, especially the last one. I bet it smells delicious.

pam nash said...

Very pretty. I also like the ikebana arrangements. Some long years ago I found a woman to come in during a garden club meeting and teach a class in ikebana. It looks easy but I find it takes a calm and thoughtful mind.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

I have to agree that the Japanese art is probably the most beautiful in all of it's simplicity. My Mother loved Japanese art and passed that love on to me. Your flower arrangements remind me of her ... she would have loved yours and was a master herself at creating simple flower arrangements. This post hit home with me and by the looks of your comments, with everyone else as well. Simply Superb!

Andrea @ From the Sol

Kirk said...

Those a very nice. I wouldn't even attempt to do something like that.

Miss Val's Creations said...

Beautifully done Debra! There is an ikebana chapter in our area so I have admired a couple of their exhibits. It is such a pretty form of art. Simplicity really is better!

baili said...

oh you visited Japan how great dear Debra :)

i heard so much about this one of the most beautiful country ,i too want to visit once in a life and i hope i will .

these modified plants are absorbingly elegant and gorgeous ,your mastery over decoration is acknowledged to my heart strongly :)
so beautiful each of them loved it!

Magic Love Crow said...

Beautiful Deb! Big Hugs!