Japanese Bronze Lanterns
Ikebana
Linda Ely
The Inspiration
Japanese Bronze Lanterns
The Flowers
Florist’s inspiration: The magnificent antique Japanese bronze temple lanterns in the lobby hint at the Anderson House's splendid collection of Japanese antiques to be found throughout the house. They resonated to me with their beauty and strength and as an Ikebana artist, I was inspired. Ikebana is a Japanese art of floral design that dates back more than 600 years and there are hundreds of schools. My school, Sogetsu, represents modern Ikebana and reflects the individuality of the arranger. Sogetsu Ikebana can be used anytime, anywhere, by anyone and with any material. Line, mass and color create the foundation for designs supported by negative space and asymmetry. In my design, I have used traditional Ikebana materials as my principal elements, arranged in a contemporary style. In Japanese culture, they symbolize strength (bamboo), long life (pine), and health and longevity (chrysanthemum). The chrysanthemum, kiku, also represents the sun and natural perfection and is the symbol of the Japanese Imperial Family.
Recipe: Bamboo, pine, chrysanthemums
THE DESIGNER
Linda Ely
Ikebana International, Chapter No. 1 Washington, D.C.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Aimee Custis Photography
Linda Ely lived in Japan during her high school years and developed an appreciation for the culture, country and people, and her studies of Sogetsu Ikebana began fifteen years ago.
Her career as an executive for luxury specialty retail stores in Washington, D.C. and New York City, led to travels in Europe, Scandinavia, and the Far East, and experience in merchandising, apparel manufacturing, national mail order and commercial and residential interior design.
She serves on the board of Ikebana International Washington, D.C., Chapter No. 1 and is the board liaison with the Washington-Tokyo Women’s Club, to which she belongs.
Linda has demonstrated for Ikebana International Chapter No. 1, Sogetsu Washington D.C. , the Washington-Tokyo Women’s Club, and have exhibited at the U.S. National Arboretum, the Torpedo Factory Arts Center in Alexandria, VA, and the Philippine Embassy.
She is a member of the Yacht Haven Garden Club, District II NCAGC, a Senior Advanced Designer and has served on the board, co-chaired the annual fashion show luncheon fund raiser, chaired table decorations for the event, and is currently Co-Chair of Design.
Aimee Custis is a wedding, engagement, and headshot photographer. From wedding features to political candidates, she specializes in photography that highlights emotion and creates a connection between the viewer and the subject. With a background in political communication and design, and a decade behind the lens, Aimee has an affinity for photos that are clean and realistic, yet colorful and welcoming.
