Contemporary Sumi-e

The heart of Sumi-e; is surrendering to the brush. Painting black ink on rice paper originated from ancient China. The artist was to emphasize their feelings for Nature with spontaneous brush work. Here in my paintings, I use Sumi-e as an  "energetic sketch" for laying out my compositions on Mulberry, Unryu or Bamboo paper.

I'm compelled to paint the lone tree or an intimate group of them. All are ordinary. But hopefully the way I layer the oil bar and acrylic paint reveals their quiet beauty. Weathered and wild, and how they've endured and thrived through the seasons.

My Bird paintings are from my imagination, I'm creating images for the ironies of life. This brush work is closest to the style of Sumi-e, with one brush in one moment the image is done— I'm letting my ink "sing and fly" across the paper.  (pun intended)