Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Wabi Sabi and Another Workshop

 STILLNESS, 10"x10" collage by Donna Watson

A NEW WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT:   BORO/WABI SABI:  The Japanese Spirit of Collage.
A 2 day course March 2-3 2015.  At the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Portland OR.   For more information about the workshop, supply list and how to register go to Art and Soul Retreat

Wabi Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic... an appreciation of the beauty of things imperfect, incomplete and impermanent - rustic, earthy, simple, subdued, textured and organic.  It shows how the passage of time affects everything.  Boro embodies the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi - tattered rags used to describe patched clothing.  Instead of fabric we will learn how to hand paint Japanese washi papers.  On the second day, artists will learn simple compositions and design elements and principles based on the Zen tenets of balance and harmony.  Artists will recreate this "boro" effect by placing their own hand painted papers quilt like onto their own supports (paper, board, canvas) to create their own collages.

TO BREATHE,  8"x8" collage by Donna Watson

"I had a discussion with a great master in Japan, and we were talking about the various people who are working to translate the Zen books into English, and he said,  "That is a waste of time.  If you really understand Zen, you can use any book.  You could use the Bible.  You could use Alice in Wonderland.  You could use the dictionary, because the sound of the rain needs no translation."
--- Alan Watts, Whiskey River

TO WHISPER,  8"x8" collage by Donna Watson

"Wabi Sabi is a broken earthenware cup in contrast to a Ming vase, a branch of autumn leaves in contrast to a dozen roses, a lined and bent old woman in contrast to a model, a mature love as opposed to an infatuation, a bare wall in contrast to a wall hung with beautiful paintings.
As Leonard Koren says:  the closer things get to non-existence, the more exquisite and evocative they become.
--- Crispin Sartwell,  Six Names of Beauty





17 comments:

ELFI said...

les tons 'terre' sont comme une évidence...beau!

Judy Shreve said...

Wish I were close enough to take this workshop! So much truth in the Alan Watts quote. -- and your work -- beautiful as always.

ArtPropelled said...

Donna whenever you announce a workshop I have such a strong reaction. Something akin to loss. That sounds dramatic but I really feel this is a lost opportunity for me. I WISH I could be there to meet you face to face and learn from you and feel the vibe of your workshops.

Peggy said...

Already signed up and looking forward to it.

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful quotes
and such appealing art
wishing you a fine fine workshop!

Seth said...

I heard wonderful things about your recent workshop on Whidbey Island. No doubt this one will be just as special.

Jennifer said...

Do you ever venture to the east coast to teach? Oh! How delightful it would be if you did...and I could take your class, of course.

Barry said...

Hi D - there seems to be no rest for skilled teachers - still it must be a real boost to impart skills. Hope you get a great roll up and enjoy the work yourself. B

Fiona Dempster said...

Your workshop sounds so quiet and peaceful and restful from these descriptions - it would be wonderful to sit and explore quietly and gently... hope everybody has a wonderful time.

George said...

I absolutely love your art, Donna, all of it, and on this particular day, I'm especially enchanted by that wonderful Alan Watt's quote no special book being required for the study of Zen.

Cris Winters said...

Beautiful pieces here, Donna. I love the photographs fragments you included. Your blog is always a reminder of what is important to me. Thank you.

Sharmon Davidson said...

Your workshop sounds wonderful, and the collages are exquisite, Donna!

Emma said...

I'm with Robyn, I would so love to be with you, instead I shall look at the autumn branches before they disappear- beautiful quotes you've collected.

susan bowers said...

I want to be there - not leave a comment!

Caterina Giglio said...

I remember finding a copy of The Book in 75 after I began to study meditation... I knew it was valuable but it took me a long time to really get it... your work is exquisite...

Paris Rendez-vous and Beyond said...

Hi Donna....a beautiful post. And it's funny as I've been reading about wabi sabi for some time now (after our wonderful Japanese Future Beauty fashion exhibition in Brisbane). I had decided to do a 'wabi sabi' post...but perhaps I don't need to now.

I would so love to attend your workshop.....but distance unfortunately keeps us apart. I think I've been appreciating wabi sabi attitudes for many years now....without knowing it. Tattered threads, browned and dried rosebuds, tea stained papers etc.....just beautiful. I look forward to seeing the results of your workshop in due course.

Ciao

Robyn

pennypeckham said...

Beautiful works! Sadly, I'm too far away to be able to attend one of your workshops...unless you happen to come to Australia.