Bamboo like Bones

Luck, originally uploaded by plasticpumpkin.

A minimalist Chinese brush painting, done on off-white double xuan (shuen). The Character reads “fu,” or a blessing of good luck. Available.

A fellow Chinese brush painter described the young, bending stalks of bamboo as something akin to a skeletal hand. There’s something poetic about that. If our internal structure can bend with the roll and flow of things, we can also bounce back–with resilient strength.

View this painting in my Etsy shop.

 

Bite the Peach

I’ve been working on peaches lately. Don’t know why. Maybe it’s the pseduo-sexual swell of the peach-shape, or the joy of working with minimal colors on a fresh, white background. Maybe it’s because every brush stroke reminds me of a deep, juicy bite into a fresh-off-the-tree treat. Maybe it’s because my own J. Hale peach tree is struggling with peach leaf curl (which is really a rather poetic affliction), and my mother in law sends us boxes of peaches via UPS during the dead of summer, and I can almost smell the fuzzy sweetness, mingling with cardboard, on a hot July afternoon.

In China, the peach is a symbol of immortality. The word itself looks and sounds like the word “Immortal,” and by proxy, each ruddy fruit embodies the essence of health, longevity, and immortality. Shou Xing, the God of Health, carries one in his hand wherever he goes (luckily he’s an immortal, and he can probably magically accomplish things that normally require two hands). The Peaches of Immortality are not unlike the Apples of Immortality, found in Norse (and other)  mythology–one bite can bring enlightenment. And the joy of the bitten peach? A topic for another article, perhaps…

Here are two of my peach-buddies, done with Chinese brush painting techniques, on slightly off-white double xuen paper. They remind me of those delectable white peaches, with red blush, that you see in the markets now and then. Maybe I should also do a Saturn Peach!

 

Tea Appreciation Class - Enroll NOW!

Tea Appreciation  
Enrollment Open Now!

Saturday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM;
3 sessions starting June 7, 2008, ending June 21, 2008 
~ Summer, 2008 semester at UNM Continuing Education ~
Cost $80
Course number - 15936
Instructor: Renee Adams  
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico - Factory on 5th Artspace

Tea has been enjoyed for thousands of years. From the high mountain Oolong of China and Taiwan to the dark, robust Indian Assam and delicate African Honeybush - the consumption of true tea and herbal tea is meditative, relaxing, invigorating, and reflective. Tea brings health benefits and stress relief. It’s used as medicine, as a beauty product, and even in art and douse cleaning. Delve into this lush class, which offers you the chance to taste, sample and discuss tea from all over the world. It’s an ideal class for those seeking something beyond supermarket tea bags, or for those wanting to learn more about (or to sample) world teas. Proper brewing methods, tea tasting, tea grading, and even some tea tales will be discussed.

This fun, hands-on course allows you to sip tea, and learn about its complex flavors, in a friendly environment.

Note: $10 materials fee due to the instructor at the first class.

To enroll, visit the UNM Continuing Ed. Website!

The Old Man in the River

I haven’t blogged much lately. Life has had me really busy–and bouncing to and fro like a tether ball in the wind, getting whacked now and then by a giant steel bar. At least it’s fun to fly freely in the air before you hit the bar, though! A little exhilirating.

I’ve had a series of health issues this year, which is new to me, as I’ve never had so many illnesses and issues in a row. Stress plays a big role in our ability to heal as well, and a few life situations have made it all worse. I came down with two different cold/flu deals, and have had issues with two separate wisdom teeth (funny, in some way!), including ongoing issues with an impacted wisdom tooth which, today, is reminding me that I’m alive.

It reminds me of one of my favorite Taoist stories:

“A Taoist story tells of an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. “I accommodated myself to the water, not the water to me. Without thinking, I allowed myself to be shaped by it. Plunging into the swirl, I came out with the swirl. This is how I survived.”

Going with the flow. Issues melt away. While sometimes we can’t help it if we fall into the river, we can make the best of it, enjoy the ride, and pop out on the other side.

Anyway, I’m working on several new painting series, which has been enjoyable. I had a dry period there, where nothing wanted to travel from my brain to my hand, but I’ve been painting again and working on additions to my Tea Wash series, as well as two other series. “Balance” (pictured below) is part of the Tea Wash grouping. I will post images of the new work shortly.

I enjoy working with tea. It intrigues me that I can use an ancient drink, with calming and healing properties, in a work of art.

Now if more paintings fly off my painting table, with the speed of that rushing river, I’ll be even happier.

Balance Bamboo Painting, originally uploaded by plasticpumpkin.

Original Chinese brush painting, which uses traditional techniques, on white xuan paper. The symbol is an ancient moniker which represents the harmony of man and woman, and which therefore can also be thought to represent balance (or as another way of expressing the yin yang and the sacred copulation of male and female, in perfect balance).

Verifying

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Happy Chinese New Year!

Well, a belated “Happy New Year!” Festivities are still busy in some parts of the world.

I just wanted to wish all of my blog readers a happy, prosperous, and fabulous Year of the Rat (year 4,706).

This New Year, I went up to Santa Fe, and did a walk up Canyon Rd, with my better half, and two good friends. The weather was crisp, but sunny, and there was still ample snow and ice on the ground around most of the galleries (I think Paula and I slid every other place we visited).

In any event, it was a great way to start out the new year–soaking in the work of fellow artists, and enjoying Santa Fe’s old town architecture. I didn’t think to take photos while I was up there, though (duh). There will always be next time, though.

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