I’ve always been drawn to the simplicity, elegance and beauty of Asian ink painting. There is a calmness and serenity that seems to radiate from the delicate nature of each work of art.

Earlier this year, with absolutely no training, and just for fun, I began to play with a brush and some sumi-e ink. I painted some ensos for my NYZCCC class as my final project and got the brush-painting bug. So when my friend Toinette Lippe – whose beautiful brush paintings I’ve long admired – offered a class at a convenient time for me, I jumped at the chance.

My meditation practice has taught me that, in the words of D.T. Suzuki: “Nothing can ever really be learned until it works through the nerves and muscles.” So I know it will take me years of practice to mature in this new endeavor. I look forward to the day when my body can paint a beautiful brush stroke.

The lovely Toinette Lippe

Practice

First class group table

My art practice

My first attempt at drawing bamboo