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The Sound of One Hand: Reaching Beyond the limits of Traditional Ink Painting

Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Making of Xuan

Xuan Paper

Photos and video by Henry Li. Text by Casey Shannon and Tai Oi Yee

Xuan paper is one of the 'Four Treasures of the Study' and highly regarded as a treasure by sumi (ink) artists. Xuan (Shuen) paper is very fine paper used by calligraphy and sumi-e artists. It is thin mulberry bark paper ( called Xuan paper in China and Washi paper in Japan).  It is also generically called "rice paper" in the west though rice is not one of the ingredients.   It is highly absorbent and unforgiving.  The brushstrokes have to be fluid and fast, and mistakes cannot be masked like on watercolor paper. Xuan Paper takes practice to use.

This paper is the brush painter's canvas. Mastering the way ink behaves on the different rice papers is one of the essential skills of the brush painter. There are basically two kinds of rice paper -- raw paper and sized paper. Shuen Paper (Xuan Paper) is raw paper and the most popular paper in China among brush painters and calligraphers. It is the most sensitive of the rice papers, cheerfully displaying dynamic strokes and complex shade variations with translucent fluidity and original spontaneity.  Any brush painter will tell you it is difficult to work with rice paper and takes years of practice to master.

Interesting fact: The reason Xuan Paper is called 'Rice Paper' in the West is because when the West came to the East, China wanted to protect it's paper making techniques and told Westerners that the paper was made from rice. 

 Mulberry Trees in Anhui, China
Quigtan Trees outside the paper mills.
Photo Courtesy of Henry Li

Xuan paper is made all by hand. There is no machinery used in the production of this treasured paper. For this reason, Xuan paper is very special and expensive.

My artist friend Henry Li recently went to China and visited the paper mill in Anhui, China. He filmed this very informative video of the paper being made in all the stages of creation. Enjoy!

  For more information on 'The Four Treasures' go: Here 




Director of North America Branch - ICCPS
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

凱西香儂齋
 

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Wabi Sabi - Rising Up


  Wabi Sabi


I Celebrated 30 Years of Wabi Sabi on
October 20, 2013

Last month I told you about the special commemorative painting I would paint celebrating the 30th anniversary of my special life event - stroke.

Here it is!
Wabi Sabi - Rising Up

Sumi-e
15 x 19 - Mulberry Paper
Sumi (ink), Tea, and Watercolor
Currently Unmounted




One friend of mine when she saw my efforts from this special day called my painting 'the landscape of my life'. I think she was correct, don't you?

   
Personal Commemorative 'Wabi Sabi' Seal

 I painted this commemorative sumi-e on that day to honor my stroke and sealed the painting with this very special artist chop.

I painted this day because I still can!
( Prints of this sumi-e will be available soon)

For more information about Wabi Sabi:
Wabi Sabi Blog  

 Casey Shannon - Official  
China Seal Carving Gyoku-seki Society 
 Director for USA

Find Casey's Sumi-e Online 
*New Additions* 
*New Additions* 
Director of North America Branch - ICCPS
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

Copyright © Casey Shannon Studio Art. All rights reserved.

Casey Shannon Studio
凱西香儂齋



  

Friday, November 22, 2013

The Four Treasures






The Four Treasures of Study
Article by Tai Oi Yee and Casey Shannon

Sumi-e is inkwash brush painting originating from China over a thousand years ago, and embraced enthusiastically in Japan, Korea and now internationally. The name sumi-e literally means water+ink+painting 水墨畫. 



Ink wash painting uses soot ink on thin mulberry bark paper or silk. Different tones and shades are achieved by varying the ink density and brush pressure. It is not simply to reproduce the appearance of the subject, but to capture its soul. Sumi-e is the timeless unison of the true self and the universe. It is the expression of the mind and spirit of the artist through the Four Treasures (文房四寶) .

Sumi-e and Calligraphy artists have the utmost respect for the Four Treasures:


The Four Treasures of Study
    1. Brush (筆): The ink brush is usually made of goat, rabbit, or yellow weasel hair. The textures are soft, hard or mixed depending on the artist's use.




   2. Ink (墨) :  Ink sticks are made of soot mixed with animal glue, and sometimes aromatic or medicinal powders. Modern artists sometimes use bottled ink as it is readily available. However, there are many preservatives in even the most expensive bottled ink and it can ruin brushes.
Ink Stick


   3. Paper (紙) :  It is not just any kind of paper. It is thin mulberry bark paper (Xuan or Pi paper from China and Washi paper from Japan). It is also generically called "rice paper" in the west though rice is not one of the ingredients.   It is highly absorbent and unforgiving.  The brushstrokes have to be fluid and fast, and mistakes cannot be masked like on watercolor paper.

Did you know? That Westerners call Xuan paper 'Rice Paper' because when The West entered the East, China wanted to keep paper making a secret and told them it was made of rice! 


   4.  Inkstone (硯) : The inkstone is used for grinding the ink stick with water. The four famous inkstones are Duan, She, Tao and Chengni. Grinding your ink before you paint provides you with a quiet state of mind and a way to let  spirit surround you.


This ink stone is an ornate one and very beautiful. This ink slab was carved in a 'cucurbit' shape. This shape stands for good fortune and every success.
These four items are treasured by the sumi-e and calligraphy artist. They are essential to this ancient art.  
  



Director of the North American Branch - ICCPS 


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 

Copyright © Casey Shannon Studio Art. All rights reserved.


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Holiday Mini Art Display


Holiday Mini Art Display and Raffle
CVAA ~ Valley Girls Art Gallery

The Exhibit

Local artists from Carmel and Carmel Valley are displaying stunning original art works in this mini holiday exhibit at the gallery. Mediums include: Oils, Acrylics, Watercolor, Brush Painting, Metal, Masks, and Jewelry for you to view and enjoy..

The Raffle
You can own an original piece of work for only $5. Or, you can buy 5 raffle tickets for $20! Your chances to win improve dramatically. Who could resist a beautiful piece of art for only $5? The drawing will be held on November 30th. You do not have to be present to win!


Enso Quail
by Casey Shannon

This is my mini art on display at the gallery. It is a lovely brush painting of a little quail sitting among holiday foliage of an 'enso'. The image is 6 x 6 and framed in a gorgeous red wood frame.

Enso

The  Ensō is one of the most prevalent images of Zen Art, and it has become a symbol of  the clean and strong Japanese aesthetic. The ensō is an expression of the mind of the artist who brushes it. As a symbol, the circle expresses the totality of our being. The circle points to the most vital aspect of our essence -- it's ultimate wholeness. The ensō symbolizes enlightenment, power, and the universe itself. It is a direct expression of thusness or this-moment-as-it-is. Ensō  is considered to be one of the most profound subjects in zenga (Zen inspired painting). 

Valley Girl's Art Gallery

 Come on down to the gallery in the sun!
#2 Chambers Lane
Carmel Valley Village, CA
831- 659-2441

凱西香儂齋 

Director North America Branch ~ ICCPS
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

Copyright © Casey Shannon Studio Art. All rights reserved



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