Dear ISFA,
I just returned from Hitomi's class at Nature's Creative Edge in Michigan. Thank you so much for the 2013 McKinley Educational Grant that funded my tuition and travel. It was a fantastic experience and I'd love to share a few scenes from the class with you.
Hitomi brought lots of inspiration from internationally acclaimed architects which was all new information to me. Frank Lloyd Wright--yes, I'm familiar with the Dana Thomas House and can recognize his influence. But Serra, Gehry, Calatrava, Gaudi, Liebeskind, Piano, Reynolds. . . who are all these people?!? Amazing artists who have created amazing buildings.
This was my first experience assisting on such a large installation. Each participant was asked to make 15 solid, strong armatures and then they were all incorporated together. The tin sheets were recycled from a local newspaper print. The fire engine red and silver lit up in the afternoon sunshine.
The woods were absolutely beautiful. Nature and man-made designs. . . such a contrast.
Here Hitomi is sharing direction for this portion of the design where it was to taper down to a point. Carnations were to be placed throughout the red-painted structure, massed more heavily at the top, gradually decreasing down into individuals blossoms and petals at the bottom, and then uplighted with a spot.
The moss panels were fabulous. (I think my garden might need one or two of these too!) Red anthurium were to be placed on the inside of the panels, so that glimpses of the flowers would be viewed from outside and to invite closer inspection of the inside of the structure.
Can't wait to see pictures of the final design with lighting at night!
Overall, this was a great learning experience with theoretical discussion and practical application of line, color, texture and contrast, space and form, balance, asymmetry, scale and proportion, dominance, movement, mechanics. . . All in the midst of a beautiful setting with great people. I can't thank you enough for the opportunity.
From the woods,
Kynda
PS--So many other individuals to thank too! Hitomi for her commitment to inspiring us all to create, Bob Friese for welcoming us into his home, James Lutcke for the year-round work that he does for this event, the Michigan Floral Association, and all the AIFD designers who attend from all over the country to make this fundraiser a not-to-be missed event.
I can't wait to go back next year!
