PIERCETON – An Asian brushpainting workshop will be sponsored by Lakeland Art Gallery, 107 N. First St., Pierceton, May 14. The class will be approximately three hours beginning at 10 a.m. Bonnie Gore, Artsy Stuff Studio in Warsaw, will be the instructor. All supplies will be provided and will include India ink, newsprint, rice paper and sumi-e brushes. There is a $25 fee. Individuals interested in attending the workshop may call the gallery at 574-594-9950. Make your reservations early as space is limited. The workshop will concentrate on painting two of the four Asian Gentlemen: bamboo and orchid in the sumi style of Asian painting. No art experience is required. Participants just need to be prepared to drink a little tea, enjoy a relaxing and spiritual time and take home a sumi-e painting or two. Sumi means black ink and e stands for path, street or road as well as art of painting. The freestyle art of ink painting consists of powerfully hushed, quickly dashed off lines. What is only indicated or even omitted is often more important and more expressive than what is actually painted. The austerity of means and the reduction to essential is the heart of Sumi-e painting. The paintings of bamboo and orchids are more of a brief sketch capturing the essence of the subjects. The Four Gentlemen evolved from the high art of Chinese calligraphy and are used throughout the Asian cultures as powerful subjects to paint that represent the spirit and simplicity of this style of painting as well as Chinese symbolism. It is told that all forms of the universe are found in these Gentlemen and each plant has a profound philosophical meaning.Lakeland Art Association’s gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is located at 107 N. First St., Pierceton. More information about the association and gallery may be found at Lakeland Art Association on Facebook or at their website at www.lakelandartassociation.org
