SOME WHERE BETWEEN DRAWING AND PAINTING

    "we who draw do so not only to make something observed visible to others, but also to accompany something invisible to its incalculable destination"
                                                                                                           John Berger, 'Bento's sketchbook'

mountains of peru, 1993, sumi ink & handmade paper

36 1/2" X23 1/2"

Mountains of Peru, 1993, Sumi ink & handmade paper

36 1/2" X23 1/2"

Mountains of Peru, 1993, sumi ink & handmade paper

36 1/2" X 23 1/2"

Some where between drawing and painting.  I have been studying the history of Chinese paintings for many years now and have been using the brushes and paper that they have used .  Trying to put the 'breath of spirit " in the lines that I draw with that lushes black ink.  All the while trying to express the essence of the mountains, their rhythms, and patterns, their meeting with the sky , wind and water.

   In April of 2010  , I made a trip to Virginia to the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

The next three ink drawings  are my attempt to put down the inner essence of these mountains. 

Blue  Ridge Mountains of Virginia, 2011

rice paper & sumi ink 25 1/2"X18"

Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia 2011, rice paper & sumi  ink

25 1/2" X18"

In this painting I tried to keep closer to the traditional Chinese painting  but as I was not trained in it I have tried to use their design structure of the zig zag going back into space.

Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia 2011, rice paper & sumi ink

25 1/2" X 18"

The mountain is a symbol in all cultures.  Usually it is the abode of the gods. or a place for the immortals or the ancestors.  a sacred place.  In Peru it is a god or goddess. A living entity named Apu. For me it is all this and more.