Sumi-e

The title of this sumi-e, 機根 (きこん, kikon) can be translated as perseverance and sometimes, depending on context, means common folks ability to comprehend Buddhism. Sumi-e, ink painting, unmounted, on "rice" paper, 13 by 19 inches.

Just as I'm influenced by my 4 year old granddaughter's work, I'm also influenced by more mature artists such as Fred Hatt of NYC. He;s just posted some dynamic ink drawings that prompted me to grab my sumi ink stick and start grinding. I'd done an earlier sumi-e, 'Tompkin's Square Park circa 1962' that was rather quiet but his ink drawings made me reminisce about the energy and activity the square also contained. Sumi (ink) on 'rice' paper, 13 1/2" X 53" (34 cm. X 134 cm.), unmounted.

Subsequently I did this sumi-e (Japanese ink & brush painting). The last couple of days I've been trying to do a bull in sumi-e but all my attempts end up producing a cute, rather than fierce animal. Maybe that's understandable as I've just returned from over a month in modern day Japan, -where cutesy rules! Ink on 9"X13" hand made "rice" paper (washi) that I just brough back from Japan.

A wildfire. New growth, new life, follows close, Fields of fireweed. Sumi-e, ink on "rice" paper, 14"X27", unmounted.

The marriage rocks at Futami. With a tip of the hat to Okanawa Soba's flickr site pictures and links of same! Sumi-e, un-mounted, on gyokuhin tenkou "rice" paper 14" X 24"

The kanji says mountain, so... Mountains Sumi-e, un-mounted, 11.5" X 12"

a little down Sumi-e ink on "rice" paper, unmounted.

Snowshoe hare Sumi-e ink on "rice" paper, unmounted.

Birch Sumi-e ink on "rice" paper, unmounted.

Mouth Sumi-e ink on "rice" paper, unmounted.

Tastefully attired, cloaked in innocence. Sumi-e, Sumi on "rice" paper, mounted

There is still snow on the ground, but it's melting. Rabbits still wearing their white coats, but they're changing. The pussy willows are bursting out, it really is spring! Sumi-e, Sumi on "rice" paper, unmounted

One of my first tries at sumi-e

My friend, Kumiko, in Japan has been chiding me and calling me lazy for not posting anything lately. So! In order to maintain good international relations I am putting this up post haste! She, Kumiko, by the way; is definitely a 'do as I say, -not as I do' person. She hasn't posted anything on her flickr site since 11 August! -grin- sumi and hand ground Chinese water colors, on gasenshi, 17 X 12 inch.

The Ishitegawa flows through Matsuyama to the Seto Inland Sea. Sumi-e on handmade paper I got in Matsuyama, 10 inches by 13 inches

I followed autumn From Alaska to Japan and saw evergreens. I'm still trying out the new paper I bought in Japan. sumi on paper, 7"X8"

It's not a tree, bamboo's a grass. Sumi on "rice" paper, 11"X13"

Well... I tried Aurora in sumi-e, I know I need, next time, put dark sky 'round light aurora but I just wanted to try to find the right brush strokes. Then, just for fun, I threw in the cute itty wittsy animals. Oh well... Disclamer: This is from my kindling box. I was laying a wood fire in the stove & these where pictures I threw away for one reason or another. I did decided, right now, to photograph them before burning.