Masters of black-and-white…
Two of my favorite artists are: Bada Shanren; and Shi Tao. Bada is sometimes called Zhou Da, or in French, Chu Ta. Both of them are 17th Century Chinese mystics—monks, drunks, womanizers, and/or ascetics, depending on whose history you believe—who influenced Chinese art in profound ways.
The Sackler Gallery in Washington D.C. has some of their works. Whenever there’s an exhibit, it’s high time for a road trip out of New York to go see it!
THE 5 SHADES OF BLACK—in Shu Fa, the Chinese classical Way of the Brush, there are five shades of grey, from black to white, which can represent all colors. There’s great wonders and mysteries in that.
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*NEW FEATURE*
Try the “Invite a Travel Companion” button to send a fine personalized invite… (Thank you Kelly! This is great!)
A few refinements still to come next week on the Invitation page, but it works, and I’d love to hear what you think of it.
Regarding the invitation: Very straightforward and smooth. Great idea. Thanks for not making the captcha code illegible.
This week’s “art lesson”: Love your nod to the Chinese masters. Is this a style you have practiced? It would seem to blend well with your ability to capture deep moods in simple lines.
I’m so glad this voyage is going to take a while!
Chinese calligraphy: I’ve only dipped my toe at the shallow shore, but it changed my views of art. Actually it’s an ocean beckoning!
I used to play quite a bit with it [see encyclopaedia entry under "lacks talent"
]. Of course you are absolutely right about the connection among ancient Chinese brush painting, Taoism and water philosphies. Hope you will give us all a look once you’ve gone into it.
“Sailor Twain”: better than chocolate, I kid you not.
Those Topatoco people are great. And they’re making the first Sailor Twain prints available…
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=ST-PRINTS&Category_Code=ART-STRIPS
Well that will be the first items to stock the Store, when it comes online next week sometime.
The invitation idea is GREAT! I may just have to “liberate” that one!
Loving this story!