23. Japanese Buddha Statuette
Ikebana DC Chapter
Linda Ely
2026 installation
Second Floor - Olmsted Gallery
The Inspiration
This small gilt wood sculpture depicts Buddha seated on a lotus blossom with a pierced brass collar and gilded halo behind his head.
The Flowers
Recipe: Reclaimed branches, chrysanthemums, dried lotus pods
Florist’s inspiration: This small gilt wood Japanese Buddha seated on a lotus base represents a fusion of Eastern spiritual imagery with a Western mansion setting and is an example of Asian art collected by wealthy Americans during the Gilded Age.
THE DESIGNER
Linda Ely
Ikebana DC Chapter
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 fundraiser, chaired table decorations for the event, and is currently Co-Chair of Design.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Aimee Custis Photography
Aimee Custis is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Washington DC. Her rich, luminous, and emotive style draws artistic inspiration from classical painters, street photography, and storytelling.
Her inclusive, client-centric approach to wedding photography is informed heavily by a background in hospitality, non-profit event planning, and college summers as a camp counselor. Aimee's wedding work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Washingtonian Weddings. Outside of weddings, her client list includes non-profits, hotels, and elected officials. Aimee is also the web designer behind the Art in Bloom website.
Aimee (she/they) lives in Washington DC’s U Street corridor with her husband Greg and golden retriever Whiskey.
