Sumi-E- Part 1: Intro

            It has been over two years since I graduated from OCAD U and crated “Reclaiming the Body”. I used Sumi-e ink to create my series which became my thesis. Each work is detailed; it seems more like a watercolour than an ink painting. Since finishing and continuing my research on my materials I have begun to teach myself Sumi-E.

                Sumi-e, means ink picture in the most simple translation.  The painting style embodies the Japanese Zen ideal of simplicity.  The materials are even simplistic. All you need is a brush, ink, ink stone and some paper (preferably absorbent rice paper). Another portion of this art form is Shodo which is calligraphy. Small stories, poems, or even a short saying are added to works occasionally.

                The main part of this art form is the Ink and ink stone, as any brush can be used (I prefer Chinese brushes or sable though because of their ability to hold alot of paint/ink).  The ink is in the form of a stick which is ground on the ink stone with a touch of water. Both come in various forms from very ornate to basic stick and stone form.

                The paper can cause some headaches; it’s fragile and super absorbent. You have to let go of control when painting on rice paper or else you will be setting yourself up for failure. Of course this medium can be used on any surface if you desire.  Watercolour paper is just as absorbent but acts differently.  Even contemporary Sumi-E artists utilize alternative papers for the different feel and look which the paper allows for. 

Progress with tea and art

For my two year anniversary post at Tea Journey I decided to put together a little montage to visually show my growth with Tea since I began consuming tea regularly. To do this I used my own art work as they both grew together over these years. Please enjoy~

First step towards my ink style. ukiyo-e with screen printing ( Abe no Seimei 2008)

Drinking tea regularly and learning new styles around this time. Stopped drinking coffee due to a seizure around Thanksgiving 

One of the few first works I have done in ink at OCAD U ( Dream or reality 2009)

Regularly looking for new teas in Toronto and regular customer for Davids Tea. 

Began to learn other methods of painting with sumi-e ink.

Bought Matcha for the first time and used a fork. Soon after

purchased a chasen to prepare it right. (Fetus Fear 2009)

Purchased first Yixing from Tao Tea leaf. Bought first porcelain gong fu set and a glass gaiwan. Began to understand more about Oolongs and a little about Puerh. Finally moving FAR away from Japanese sencha and genmaicha! Utilized old watercolour skills with Sumi-e, encouraged by thesis professors to be bolder and less controlling with future work.( Hold 2010, Thesis at OCAD U) 

Utilized tea in a work for the first time. Visited Majestes regularly for quality teas. And learned of

the Tea Guild of Canada. Joined Summer 2011! 

Attained another Yixing from Majesteas. Working for Teaopia for

over a year! Attained more yixings from work. Began tea antique collection

and began to read The Way of Tea. My second tea book after a tea handbook!

Began to work slowly towards the direction I was told to go by professors. Been graduated for over a year.

Started to take Japanese lessons!

(Lace 2011) 

Became a Public Relations rep for The Tea Guild of Canada. Now has too many teas, extensive knowledge

byond what I need for work. Helps out with "World in Your Tea Cup" Event! Great fun.

Now has too much tea ware (no such thing!) and too much tea (blasphemy!).

Began to experiment more with "tea" as tone. (Hair 2011) 

Brings tea where ever I go practically! Creating many entries on tea to Tea Journey!

Reviewed Do Matcha! Made more tea friends at the Guild, two I knew from work. Encouraged a co-worker to join Guild!

Began Tea Sommelier classes, been taking Chanoyu classes when able (I love to learn!). Working on promotional materials for the Guild!

Me working in the back in a Sumi-e workshop at the JCCC in March 2012 

Tried some amazing teas at Majesteas and Tao Tea Leaf for Spring!

Learning more about processing of teas in the process outside of class. Been

supporting The Global Tea Hut since February! Enjoying the large selection of spring teas

and refined taste of my pickings~ My chop for new work, It says " Guren" Crimson Lotus.

I will have it by next week! I picked these characters as my hair is red and the lotus symbolizes

growth for me. Growing out of the mud and into the world as a flower. 

Been with Teaopia for 2 years (June 10th 2012) and have had Tea Journey for

just as long. Now I work for Teavana, and hope to grow some more as a 茶人 (Tea person), Artist and as an individual in 

general. I truely hope to meet more wonderful tea people and have long lasting

friendships (Tiffany, Grace, Kingkoh,

Brooke etc <3 Love you all!) I will be meeting with the Guild 

board this summer to plan out fall meetings. I can not wait to get things rolling~

I am on my second tea class

and I am having one more before I start my super summer. After that third class I am

about half way done the program.

Certification exam to follow there after and my N5 exam for Japanese Proficiency as well!

"Sheng Nong" in progress for 2012! 

Sumi-e and business cards

Sumi-e Artists of Canada is a non-profit organization

  March 10th I took a trip up north to the Japanese Canadaian Cultural Center to take part in a Sumi-e workshop put together by the Sumi-e Artists of Candada. With Hiroshi Yamamoto  we were shown sketches that were made prior to the final Sumi-e work.  Everyone brought different objects to paint, I brought a ceramic tea canister while others brought vegetables and plants.
       I did not have a roll of paper so a kind woman from the executive gave me a few sheets so I may still work like everyone else. This was the second time in my life I attended a class/workshop where I was one of the youngest, the first time being a weekly watercolour class. Although this time I felt like I knew nothing and everyone else was far ahead of me as they were taking full classes with Hiroshi Yamamoto at the center. Perhaps the fact that there is almost 10 years in between this workshop and the watercolour class is a factor, as that was before I attended OCAD U. 
      Unfortunately I missed this months workshop due to a bad cold, although I did attempt to do a study of "Hug" in Sumi-e style. I am quite sure that I will take classes at the centre in the future to assist with my studies of this style. Till then I am going to attend these workshops to absorb anything I can.


    On another note, my business cards are in transit and a temporary website will be up this week. I ordered the cards from Moo Printing and am very excited to finally have these cards. As for the website I am going to use Other People's Pixels till I purchase my own web space, at least with them I get a domain in the process. The layout over there will reflect how this blog will look in the near future. Please bear with me as I change things. This week is the Take pART show.  Here's the info they have!

About
A mystery art sale findraiser in support of student financial aid at Branksome Hall School. All works are 10 x 10", signed on the back, presented in a grid and are made by alumnae and non-alumnae artists.

Description

take pART 

Arta Gallery, Distillery

Thursday April 19, 2012, 6-9PM
Hors d'oeuvres, wine & beer
Raffle Prizes

Hope to see you there!

Working with water

 This year has been great. I have joined the AGO and the South Asian Visual Art Centre. In addition to attending great workshops, documenting and  self-mentoring.
    To begin the year I showed Hysteria that was a return to an old process that I used. One of which I am working on still on the side.
    My other work is branching out slowly. Watercolour has come back into my work, and I need to understand it more. Just as I need to learn more about sumi-e ink, I hope to play, make mistakes and possibly take more classes on them. This coming year is very important to me as I am turning 25. No longer am I a young adult but a full adult. Its time to make everything fall into place, a lot is planned for 2012. I have a whole to-do list dedicated just to my art practice which is displayed in large print on my wall next to my desk. Seeing it since I printed it just reminds me of how much needs to get done for the more technical side of art. Website, professional business cards and networking sites. Everything links together.  Exciting! Exciting things are going to happen.
                    Over the next day or so I will be finishing a work for a e-card for my mailing list. I have added a few people whom I hope want to be included but this initial Holiday "card" will allow them to opt out if they so please.  If you would like to be added to my list I have a link to the right of my blog for you.
    It has been a long few weeks leading up to the holidays. I am off to be for the night to be prepared for another day of work Studio and Work-Work. Happy Holidays everyone~