Chanoyu…wabi sabi The Japanese tea ceremony developed as a "transformative practice", and began to evolve its own aesthetic, in particular that of "wabi-sabi". "Wabi" represents the inner, or spiritual, experiences of human lives. Its original meaning indicated quiet or sober refinement, or subdued taste "characterized by humility, restraint, simplicity, naturalism, profundity, imperfection, and asymmetry[, emphasizing] simple, unadorned objects and architectural space, and [celebrating] the mellow beauty that time and care impart to materials."[6] "Sabi," on the other hand, represents the outer, or material side of life. Originally, it meant "worn," "weathered," or "decayed." Particularly among the nobility, understanding emptiness was considered the most effective means to spiritual awakening, while embracing imperfection was honored as a healthy reminder to cherish our unpolished selves, here and now, just as we are - the first step to "satori" or enlightenment.

Watercolor by Gary

Three ladies from different time periods...A Native American woman in charcoal...A Japanese woman in pastel and a model in charcoal.

Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They came through you but not from you and though they are with you yet they belong not to you. Khalil Gibran

An older pastel homage to a bowl of beautiful cherries...one of Gary's pieces.

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." Confucius........................................... From the Chinese poets: Li Po...Conversation in the Mountains............... .................................................... If you were to ask me why I dwell among green mountains I shall laugh silently; my soul is serene. The peach-blossom follows the moving water, There is another heaven and earth beyond the world of men. ................................................... The Girl of Yueh................................... ................................................... She is gathering lotos-seed in the river of Yueh, While singing, she sees a stranger and turns around; Then she smiles and hides among the lotos-leaves, Pretending to be overcome by shyness.

Two of Gloria's more recent efforts...a life drawing study and the detail from her painting, "Peeping Tom."

Gloria's entry in last year's Venus Envy exhibit.

For a variety of reasons, it has been several years since this blog was updated. Over the next few weeks we will be adding some recent works, including drawings and paintings from life drawing sessions which we regularly attend.