rice paper mounted on Japanese matboard
185 mm h x 63 mm w
185 mm h x 63 mm w
Lately, I have been interested in doing Chinese Ink Painting again. For the past several years, I have been doing mostly figures on rice paper.
Last night, I couldn't sleep, so I got up and decided to paint. I found a sheet of locally handmade rice paper that I had purchased some time back. Being in Japan, I can walk into any art store or stationary store and buy rice paper, but you have to drive out into the country and buy direct from the Paper Maker. I don't have a car, so whenever there is a traditional crafts show downtown, I am definitely there. Handmade paper is usually thicker, and I love the feel of it. The paint flows differently depending on which artisan made the paper, giving each painting a different effect.
I painted bamboo last night. When I started my studies of this art in Sapporo, Japan (years ago), bamboo was the first subject that I learned to paint. There are four main motifs that must be learned and which also represent the seasons of Japan: chrysanthemums (winter), cherry blossoms(spring), bamboo (summer) and suisai (autumn). Suisai is a type of small, daffodil flower. Bamboo and Suisai are my favorite, but Bamboo especially.
There is a certain peace with myself that I feel when I paint bamboo. I remember when I was learning Suibokuga, my teacher would stress that my mind must be clear of all unrelated details. My thoughts must be focused on my brush, the ink, the paper and the moment of painting. She also reminded me that the hand alone does not paint the picture, but my entire body.
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Rice paper is used for collage in Japan so many ways. A few are Chigir-e (my poppies), paper lanterns and mixed media cards. If I get a chance, I will put together a sample of all the ways rice paper can be used. OOoh, now I am excited about that!