Embracing Wabi-Sabi

Recently, I have been exploring the Japanese aesthetic philosophy, Wabi-Sabi.

According to the article, “Wabi-Sabi: The Japanese Art of Finding Perfection in the Imperfect” by Lucy Daman:“Wabi (侘び) describes loneliness, not the negative feeling of isolation from others, but rather a pleasant feeling of being alone in nature, away from society. If wabi were a person, he’d be living a humble life in a mountain shack nestled deep in the mountains, free from the binds of daily life. Sabi (寂び) means to be weathered, but in an elegant, rustic fashion. For context, the term ‘to rust’ is also pronounced sabi (錆び).”

Check out these articles if you are interested in learning more. 

Wabi-Sabi Photography – The art of the imperfect | Discover Digital Photography
https://www.discoverdigitalphotography.com/2016/wabi-sabi-photography-the-art-of-the-imperfect/

Wabi-Sabi: The Art Of Imperfection (utne.com)
https://www.utne.com/mind-and-body/wabi-sabi

Japanese Principles to Transform Your Writing
https://medium.com/swlh/4-japanese-wabi-sabi-principles-to-transform-your-writing-917533952f53

So my process was to explore the concept by going out in a snow storm. I didn't care about taking the perfect photo or using the best equipment. 

Home Sweet Home

"Home Sweet Home"
10" x 8" oil on 1/8" board

In recent years, Americans are selling it all and deciding to live in vans, campers, and airstreams. The freedom of living the #vanlife offers the opportunity for people to save money, explore new places and develop their passions. 

Summer Concert

 

"Summer Concert"
8" x 8" acrylic on 1/8" board

This van was sitting in the beach parking lot and its owner is about to enjoy a free summer concert. My friend Vicki Lang took this photo and she gave me permission to use as inspiration.

Digital Art using the Procreate App

I have been spending some time learning the tools to create digital art using the Procreate App on my iPad Pro. You Tube has many videos on how to get started. I highly recommend Art with Flo. Flo has many free instruction videos on her site and offers free brushes too. I use Pinterest, Croquis Cafe and other figure drawing sites to find poses. My process is to sketch a design and use Procreate to color the drawing in using the digital paintbrushes. 

Weekly Figure Drawing Class on Zoom

My weekly figure drawing class transitioned to virtual classes in March. My teacher, Rob Silverman, is an excellent instructor and portrait artist. Our local art league will be opening on September 14th, and we were discussing how to safely hold in-person classes. A particular dilemma seems to be centered around the live model and mask-wearing. Many questions still need answering before we can transition back to the art league for in-person classes. 

I have enjoyed taking some open studio sessions with Atelier Dojo. They offer open studios several times a week with a variety of interesting models at a very reasonable fee. 

Below are some of my most recent sketches done in charcoal on toned gray paper. 

Inspiration is Everywhere

 

"Morning and Old Glory"  SOLD

8" x 8" acrylic on 1/8" board

There have been many famous historical figures who were habitual walkers. Aristotle, Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, and Albert Einstein are a few who come to mind. Walking for me is a way to de-stress and reflect.  I have also been inspired by the beauty that I am seeing in my neighborhood travels. 

As I walk my dog several times a day, I find that beauty is everywhere and in everything. I thought the way early morning light strikes our flag on a summer July morning would make an interesting painting. 

Learning How to Use Procreate

 I bought an Ipad Pro and Apple Pencil with the hopes of learning the Procreate App. It took a multi-day power outage for me to finally play around with the pencil and app. I have a lot to learn about layers, masks, and filters, but the program is an excellent creative tool. There are so many video tutorials about the app online, so learning it shouldn't be too difficult. My friends challenged me to do a 14-day #smallworks challenge and I think I will be doing a few more of these quick digital sketches. It is always good to shake things up and try new mediums. 

Flamingo Joe