Sumi-e is a traditional Japanese black ink painting: where the practitioner attempts to express complex feelings and subjects with simple, minimalistic black Sumi ink (derived from charcoal) strokes. These simple strokes are the key to making an expressive yet tranquil painting.

In this workshop, you will learn the basic process of simple stroke painting from nature in a meditative atmosphere. In addition to teaching how to paint various Sumi-e subjects, Ayako will demonstrate the traditional way of making Sumi-ink as well as the final step of applying a Rakkan, a signature seal stamp. An important aspect of Japanese Sumi art is gaining a Zenlike state of mind and relaxed but focused body in order to reflect your inner self and power in your painting and creations.

Ayako Abe-Miller is a sculptor, Japanese Sumi (ink) painter and multimedia artist.  She was born in the northern part of Japan, and has lived in Tokyo, Australia, Singapore, New York City, and currently resides in South Carolina. Her Japanese calligraphy has been published in scholarly journals in Japan and her sculptures, installations, and live performances have been accepted, exhibited and performed in galleries and museums both nationally and internationally.  More recently, she was commissioned to make a sculpture for the entrance to the Edgewood Library and had a residency to teach Japanese Art at the Inman Elementary School.

March 5, 1pm - 4pm
$55 materials included

(Contact the gallery at 828-698-7000 if you’d like to be on the wait list.)