Be Here Now

Be Here Now
Sumi-e by Casey Shannon

Jon Kabat-Zinn asks 'Can you be here now, wherever you are?' Interesting and very important question. Is this a wake up call for each of us? Zinn says 'the bell of mindfulness tolls in each moment, inviting us to come to our senses, reminding us that we can wake up to our lives, NOW, while we have them to live'.

We live in a very fast paced and somewhat unhealthy world. I find it difficult to 'be here now' in every moment. However, when I am painting I come very close to attaining that divine presence. Or, when I am meditating, I also find myself solidly in the present moment.

There is a Japanese Proverb:
'Now is a gift, that's why they call it the present'

The sumi-e you see above is called 'Be Here Now'. This image was inspiried by my personal journey into art. It was created after my mind preparation for painting. I saw this image vibrantly clear in my mind and needed to brush it to my paper. The original painting is for sale in Gallery Spirit. Fine Art Reproductions are available here. You may purchase an art print only or you can finish your print right on the website with a mat and frame of your choice.

Casey Shannon Studio

Sumi-e Mind

Brush painting or ink painting called Sumi-e in Japan is done quickly without over thinking your subject matter. Once the brush is laid to the white paper and you have a mark, that's it. There is no erasing, doing over, or changing. The painting 'just exists'. This is why one who creates Sumi-e paints from a quiet centered place and has the intention of capturing the object's spirit and essence with just a few simple and graceful brush strokes.Sumi-e exemplifies the concept of 'Less is More.'

'Kokoro tadashikereba sunawachi fude tadashi'.
If your mind is correct, the brush will be correct.

Sumi-e Art

Sumi-e expresses the character and soul of the artist. It is a meditative process and spiritually personal. Understanding this concept has been at the center of my art. I have been a student of Western painting and of ink painting. Ink painting called Sumi-e has captivated my spirit and soul. I am continually trying to increase my understanding of the secret of beauty and grace and elegance.

As an artist, for me, ink painting is a meditation and a creative process. I concentrate on trying to capture spirit as the ink is transferred to the paper with the stroke of the brush. The brush is pushed across the surface of the paper quickly. If your intention is correct, the object in the picture seems to 'breathe and take on life'. This unseen yet felt breath begins to fill the page with spirit just as it does in all of nature which surrounds us. The special power of the painted form shines and appears through the ink and the white page. The white space surrounding the painted form becomes as important as the object itself. The ink painting represents soul, spirit, elegance, and beauty all at the same time and in concert.