As I perused Ikebana International, San Francisco Chapter’s recent Ikebana Exhibition, I tried to guess the schools to which the different compositions belonged. I can’t say I had much success, but I had fun looking for patterns among the displays. Tuesday I posted photos of Sogetsu ikebana – below are images Ikenobo, Ohara, Aratame, Wafu, […]
Excursions
Excursion posts feature visits to bonsai gardens in the U.S. and in Japan, visits to the Kyoto's Most Renown Gardens, and trips into the mountains to see junipers and pines in their natural setting.
Ikebana International – San Francisco Exhibition 2013
Maybe ten or fifteen years ago, I happened upon my first ikebana exhibit. I was surprised by how intrigued I was by the displays. Long familiar with flower arrangements, I had no idea how evocative and beautiful the displays could be. Due to a combination of poor timing and ignorance about the ikebana scene, I’ve […]
The colors of orchids
The 2013 Pacific Orchid Exposition included more flowers that were new to me than I could count. Here are some more of the standouts. Orchids on display at the 2013 Pacific Orchid Exposition at Fort Mason Yellow White Stripes White, pink and yellow White, green and yellow White […]
2013 Pacific Orchid Exposition
I had the fortune to attend the 2013 Pacific Orchid Exposition at Fort Mason, San Francisco, last month. Wow, what an explosion of bright colors and exotic shapes! This year’s theme was East Meets West – a theme picked up by many of the booths and exhibits. As I don’t know much about orchids, I’ll […]
GSBF Mammoth Fundraiser 2013
This past weekend marked the GSBF Bonsai Garden Lake Merritt’s Mammoth Fundraiser – the annual auction and sale event that brings so many of Northern California’s bonsai enthusiasts to Oakland each February. This year’s auction comprised nearly 100 lots including some impressive trees from a private collection. Tools, pots, stones and bonsai took their turns […]