My love of Sogetsu is founded in the belief that ikebana is an art form which can be done by anybody, anywhere, anytime with anything.
My first experience of ikebana was in the Ikenobo school, but after a few years I changed to Sogetsu because its philosophy and practice appealed to me. I have also been involved, like many other Sogetsu members, in western floral design where I have taught and travelled extensively. I have been teaching mostly in person to individuals or groups of between 3 and 6. I believe that we must learn the lessons from the kakei but while we are learning them we must also learn the cultural and philosophical underpinnings of them and learn to express ourselves, our originality and creativity, through the materials.
I also do presentations and demonstrations to larger groups and am willing to travel to do them. This past winter I did one hour zoom presentations on the history of Sogetsu to the Garden Club of Toronto, the Garden Clubs of Ontario, and the Toronto Botanical Gardens. Previously I have done demonstrations and workshops in Bermuda, British Columbia, the Creative Flower Arrangers of America (Florida) and to many smaller groups all over Ontario.
