East Meets West
Blog Summary Widget
The title of this blog is quite appropriate on a couple of counts. In the first place I am a European who has lived, worked and studied in China for nine years. I now live in New Mexico where I apply what I have learned from my Chinese teachers to painting the amazing scenery of the South West. There is no contradiction since the Dancing Brush can so easily describe and interpret any subject. The qi flows through the brush and irrespective of whether the medium is ink or water color the translation from nature to art is accomplished. In a few swift strokes the “essence” is captured. In Chinese brush painting what is left unsaid – negative space to the cognoscenti – is as important as what is depicted. The Chinese word for looking at a painting is: “to read a painting”. The artist takes the viewer into the painting and the ‘reader’ embarks on a journey of discovery and even of self-discovery. Each time one looks at a picture something new or unusual should appear in the eye of the beholder.
The same is true of a good photograph. The pictures in this website were taken while touring the South Island of New Zealand a few years ago. Every time I look at them I see something new and beautiful. Enjoy these pages and drop me a line on: theDancingBrush@gmail.com with your thoughts and views.
Posted April 2009
This is now a new blog and I promise to write a regular piece for art lovers involved with all media, mostly water based paints and inks. Let’s try and see if it’s going to work. Watch this space
Posted 28th September 2010
New Mexico Palette
East Meets South West
High Desert Mesa Near Bandelier
Jemez Mountains - Seven Springs
Abstract - Mixed Media
Phoenix rising - Splash ink technique
I continue to teach at our local Hobby Lobby and it’s very gratifying to see my students interest in and enthusiasm for this genre of art. Recently I have been invited to give a powerpoint talk on Chinese brush painting. This proved to be so successful that I was invited to go back and even other venues have opened up for this type of presentation.
If you’ve been reading this and enjoy the paintings do drop me a line on
thedancingbrush@gmail.com and let me know what you think.
May you have a blessed, healthy and happy New Year.
Nora Sanders
4 February 2010