I have long been fascinated with Eastern art, so it’s not surprising that a friend’s gift of a book on Japanese brush-painting, brushes, paper and ink inspired me to experiment with Sumi-e. I wasexcited and surprised to find an art form that combined humor and joy with serious spiritual and philosophical meaning. The simple forms traditionally created with black ink on white paper fascinate me. My progress was slow while I was raising my children, but in 2002 I took my first sumi-e class, The Zen of Painting, with Fumiko Kimura. When she asked me how long I had been painting sumi-e, I knew that I had found my natural niche. I felt totally at one with my medium from that very first class. In order to achieve the Zen simplicity, I have to fully connect with the subject to understand its true nature, which expresses my love of the natural world. The earthy scent of ink and the brush contacting the rice paper engages all of my senses as my brush spontaneously manifests the subject’s spirit.
Click on the image to enlarge
|
|
|
|
Mousie Toy, Sumi-e | Butterfly Daze, Sumi-e | Dog Days, Sumi-e SOLD | Day Dreams, Sumi-e |
|
|
|
|
Impromtu - Sumi-e | Bunny Lap Nap or Bunny Pillow for Kittens Nap | Kitten has Toy Bunny's Carrot | Bunny Pillow for Kitty |
|
|
|
|
Kitten and Toy Bunny | Kitten Shreds a Bunny Toy | I Captured the Easter Egg | Red Leaf Gotcha |
|
|
|
|
I Only Have Eyes for You | Not so Itsy Bitsy Spider | Teddy Bear Nap for Tiger Kitten | Warm Knit Cap |
|
|
|
|
Bird Feeder | In the Box | In the Bag | Lil Ducky and Kitten Pal |
|
|
|
|
Butterflies Come Out after the Rain | Kitten Plays with a Swinging Ball | Christmas Frog Duo | Tuxedo Kitten and Black Slug |
|
|
|
|
Kitten Catches One of Three Leaves | Wild Rabbit | Clarity, Enso with Kanji character for Clarity | Harmony, Earth Toned Enso with Kanji for Harmony |
|
|
|
|
Nine Lives Enso | Gentleness, Enso with Kanji | Zen Energy Enso | Enso with Kanji character for Prosperity |
|
|
|
|
Ladybug Hop | Rabbit, Sumi-e | Fanny Fantail | Ladybug Brunch - Donation |
|
|
|
|
Yarn Basket | Run for It | Rain and Snail Stalking | Crab Dancing |
|
|
|
|
Starfish | Buzz | Waterfall | Rose & Bee |
|
|
|
|
Full Moon | Flutter | Dragon Landing | Buzzzzing |
|
|
|
|
Mountain Pine | Mountain Retreat | Plum Blossom | Butterfly |
|
|
|
|
Nesting Cat Nap - SOLD | Natural Wool Cat Nap | Leap Pig | Chicken Tag |
|
|
|
|
Apple Snack | Swinging Paws | I Got It! | Balance Balls - Donation |
|
|
|
|
Turtle & Cat | Snail Trail | May Flowers | Grasshopper Tease |
|
|
|
|
Dragonfly Chase | Dragonfly & Cat | Butterfly Tapping | Butterfly Catminton |
|
|
|
|
Blue Yarn | 2 am | Grasshopper | Snail |
|
|
|
|
Tail Stalk - SOLD | Mouse Toy Take Over | Catbotage | Tabby Trek |
|
|
|
|
To Pounce or Not | Cozy Cat Nap | Yarn Pillow | Angler - as a sample only SOLD |
|
|
|
|
Idle Mouser | Moggie Merriment - SOLD | Miss Mittz C | Cautionary Tail |
|
|
|
|
Catwalk - SOLD | Bath Time | Calico Colors | Cat-a-lyst |
|
|
|
|
Attack Mode | Pear | Narcisus | Fish Bowl Invasion |
|
|
|
|
Grape Study | Cat Enso - as a sample only - SOLD | Tranquil | Bring it On |
|
|
|
|
Moonrise - as a sample only -SOLD | I'm Watching You - DONATION TO TESC FUNDRAISER | Popcorn | Nibbles |
|
|
|
|
Zoe | Clamping Claws | Abundance Within | Blue Way |
|
|
|
|
Compassion | Clarity within Life's Veil | Sky Blue Harmony - as a sample only - SOLD | Zen Harmony SOLD |
|
|
|
|
Leap Toad | My Snack | He Who Hesitates | What? |
|
|
|
|
Rain!!!! | Zen Cat - as a sample only - SOLD | Dratted Bird | Bat the Bee |
|
|
|
|
Juggling Two Mouse Toys | Tag - You're It | Pesty Kitten | Just Waiting |
|
|
|
Wafting to Lunch - as a sample only - SOLD | Sprint | Water Duet |