'Kizuna' sums up year 2011

The chief priest of Kyoto's Kiyomizu temple displays his calligraphy of "kizuna", meaning "bond".

Japanese public chooses 'kizuna' as kanji of 2011

The Japanese word "kizuna", meaning bonds or connections between people, has been chosen as Japan's kanji of 2011.

The kanji, or Chinese pictorial script, for "kizuna" emerged top of a public poll for the character that best summed up the year.

For Japan, 2011 was dominated by the earthquake and tsunami in March.

The disasters led to unprecedented numbers of Japanese helping one another.

Read the full story from BBC News

Casey Shannon Studio  

Director of North American Branch
International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

Tweet

Winter!

Red Snow Bird Contemplating Spring

by Casey Shannon

Winter is here! This is the first full day of winter. Winter began in California yesterday at 9:32 pm. The season of winter brings peace and silence. It is a time for quiet and rejuvenation of nature and of our souls. There is no beauty quite like that of snow and wintertime beauty. As an artist and lover of the outdoors and nature, I have come to love our magnificent earth in all her wondrous seasons especially her glistening magical snow.

We do not have a lot of snow in California. However, we have enough to enjoy and appreciate. The above sumi-e of an  imaginary 'Red Snow Bird' was inspired by the season of winter. It was created on Canson paper, which is made in France. This type of paper displays the white ink and Japanese watercolor of sumi-e beautifully. Painting with white ink is a joy and an unusual way to use ink. Please visit my Gallery White to see my other sumi-e created with white ink.

Casey Shannon Studio

Director North American branch

International Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

Tweet