Asia arts information classes and workshops
from Gerard Menzel
Sumie Japanese brush painting,
Aikido and Tai Chi,
Tabla; Indian percussion tuition and Yoga workshops email; gmenzel...hotmail.com.
Friday, 30 October 2015
Many times over the years whilst I had the opportunity to sit and listen to Baba's teaching I was graced by his love and power of his thoughts. In 1991 I first stumbled into his farm on the outskirts of Delhi and there were few westerners in sight. In the late 2000's after his passing there were thousands of people who knew of his spiritual light.
I can only thank the universe for the gift of feeling his light gaze.
Here is a sample of the heart of Baba Virsah Singh.
Sometimes you have a day that is so sweet that you want to suck on it forever. Yes thats crass poetry but the gallery in the tiny hamlet of Newstead just miles from the arts epicentre of the Victorian state and world threw open her doors and swooned us with her charm. With a full house of dedicated 'Zensters' and others (the cat at the door who had realized 1000 rebirths previous) we pushed on from 1100 hrs to 1630hrs with just a short lunchbreak. Never did the day pass so peacefully and so serenely due to the soul in that class. I have had many nice days but some great wines are greater than others. Although disarmingly quiet for a balladeer extraordinaire we had a music / artist dignitary in the body of Kavisha Mazzella ('the voice of heavenly angels' and Amour) and a coterie of painters 'n potters.
We started the day with a meditation on the 5 senses to tune us into the vibration of the space and to ground us to this timeless land of Terra Australis and its dreamtime infused lines of song which tweek and twitter every nook of this ether we call ....the environs. After introducing our materials and giving a context to the Zen experience..... with a capital E .....the days focus was on Bamboo as we traversed the subtleties of the leaf, the trunk, the join in the trunk and the branches, all of which require a unique stroke. Although visually easy to watch, a zen artist is irritatingly difficult to imitate at first. (Take 5 years to prove to yourself that "I can paint a leaf as well as that B.................., another 5 to get used to sitting straight without turning to jelly after 2 hours, and another 5 years where the joy starts to smack you like a LSD pill and you don't want to stop.) As circles led to lines and lines led to small dots on white paper the day fell into a timeless miasmic dream.....the type of dream that is like that cold beer that one yearns for on a 45C heatwave....the one swish which you never want to end or even hit the wall of your belly. After a late lunch and reviving cup of tea and biscuits we ( the man with the grey beard ) was given the challenge of turning a leaf into a fish. mmmm? By this time it was clear the magic had worked and anything was seeming to be possible from the crowd. I pondered for 2 seconds and thought...'if the man from Galilee could do this stunt 2k plus years ago and come up with loaves and fishes from the void then maybe the 'light' was in me. With a palpable hummm in the air, IT WAS ON........Although nobody would ever admit it nor even whisper the dream of it ......all in the room were thinking......'this sod has got us in a state of mental humiliation and nervous paralysis after 4 hours of this Zen stuff and now HE IS GONNA SINK. In front of a group of peaced out onlookers hooked on the magic of Zen the brush began to move across the page .....one stroke for the body, seemingly a leaf shape, then another for the other half of the body joined and then a body and a head of a dolphin like fish emerged, a few swishes more and the tail fin is done and then the eye of the fish and then the gentle touch of the fins. Whooo Ahhhhh and there was a wave of joy that burst out of a mountain of expectation. The deed was done. A leaf into a fish.
Sumie is a moving meditation in ink. The brush strokes become the whole focus of ones mind and physical activity. There is no room for thought or extra interference between ; thought / action /brush /paper. Images from the day by Gerard
Noble bamboo
Bamboo grove
leaves in the wind
Springtime
The day moved along in a silence which was neither laboured nor dictated. In fact it was a silence born out of itself!!!!!!
Here is some information for the Sumi-E workshop coming up.
This information can be generally used for classes also where applicable.
Although Zen painting is free from strict rules, hard and fast regulations there are some things that we can observe in the class.
Students work quietly in a non competitive atmosphere.
Sumie is a meditative practice which encourages stillness and reflection.
Sumie takes time to work into your heart and soul, patiently cultivate over unlimited time.
Enrolment Conditions and Liability
As a matter of course by enrolling in any class you automatically have agreed to the terms and conditions of Wild Lotus Arts courses. Read the conditions and liability on this blog.
What to bring with you
Glass jar water bowl
Absorbent rag to mop brush and ink
Wear loose clothing
In classes we use newsprint paper for beginning then move to rice paper. Paper is for sale.
A cushion optional Food
Bring your lunch to the workshop
Tea will be available
Materials
With a new brush you must soak it in water first for 5min
Wash you brush out in cold water after painting
Video
Often but not always we play a video at the workshop
Sumie ( black ink on
rice paper) is a beautiful way to paint nature and the world in all its beauty
& grace as we see the world in a different Zen light, where the subjects
essence or "kami" spirit is depicted. Zen painting is an artform and
a way of living and breathing through the world. The class will cover Zen
insights, Sumie as Meditation and art practice,
the Zen way of
painting and observation, Zen as philosophy or religion. Regular Sumie classes will be available in the
Newstead area in spring.
The origin of Sumie
dates back to the Southern School of Chinese Zen painting and it was
transplanted to Japan by Esai and Dogen. Used to train the mind, it is one of
the "Zen arts" including ikebana and Shodo.
The practice of
painting is akin to Zen training of the mind body and senses.
Materials $7 or
BYO.
Local Artist Gerard
Menzel studied with Andre Sollier and taught, exhibited in Australia and
overseas as well as lived and studied Aikido in Japan.
In 2000 I went up the Yangtze river with my son on a local ferry setting off from Hong Kong then taking a train to Guangzhau or Canton then Wuhan, on the river. After negotiating a room with the captain we set off for the next days passing the Wudang mountains on the way en route to Sichuan province and Chengdu.
Here is a video of some of the style of martial arts from the Wudang mountains and their Taoist monastery roots.
Some places by their very environmental nature make you feel safe, happy and close to nature, and Moonambel's one of these.
Jan and Ray asked me from the Arts Group early this year 2015 to present a sumie workshop and she said there were a lot of artists in the area. A lot of work was put in by the group and it paid off. We had a great class of diverse people from Vic and NSW. They came from varying walks of life. Not all were artists but they were all eager and interested.
The meditative energy and quiet reflection in the class was palpable while painting continued, and the fun also as laughter was heard from time to time.
The lunch was provided in the form of tasty hot pumpkin or chicken soup with fresh brown bread and there were lots of yummy cakes provided. The sports club hall location is set in a backdrop of native forest and is stunning. It feels remote yet is only 18klms from Avoca the nearest town.
The town is well known for its pub and the general store and is on the Pyrenees wine trail. We could not have had better hosts, setting, food, or attentive students. I think they got a lot out of the video I played of Andre Sollier my teacher too.
Students seemed to take to the Haiku style painting and prose and here I can present you with some of their insights into life and Zen.
A few years ago I had a wonderful few days at Woodcroft Primary in SA. In fact they invited me back twice. It was '05 and '06 and woodcroft is down in the south side of Adelaide towards the Southern Vales and and not far from the coast.
When you get to a school there is always a little apprehension as to whether the teachers have understood your preparation info. and got the students primed and ready. Well, this was one of those times when it was such a joy to share the spirit of Sumie.
Some classes and schools just stay in your emory like stars in the sky. I remember waiting outside the school after the days workshops and feeling the sun on my back and the feeling of the sea nearby as I waited for my bus back to Adelaide, as I always like to support public transport although I have wheels.
Here are some of the thoughts of teachers and students.
class at work
Sumie and Zen are intertwined and teach us to have a clear and stable mind.
Krishna is one of the most popular dieties in India. It is the focus of devotional Yoga followers. In 2006 I was fortunate to be able to play tabla in the Muscat Krishna temple with Kanhaialal the resident singer, daily. Bajaan devotional music is one of the most profound ways to open up your heart to the universe. The breath opens and the vibration of the voice with the power of the seed syllable of the mantra work to free your consciousness in a master,y way.
Here is a link to Jagjit Singh singing Jai Radha Mahadeva, one of my favourite bajaans.
Jai gopi jan wallabh / Jai gopi jan
wallabh Jai gopi jan wallabh / Jai gopi jan wallabh
Jai gopi jan wallabh / Jai gopi jan wallabh Jai gopi jan wallabh / Jai gopi jan
wallabh
Jai gopi jan wallabh jai giridhar hari
Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari / Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari / Jai radha
madhav jai kunj bihari / Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari
Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan /
Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda
nandan braj jan ranjan
Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda
nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan
Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan /
Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda
nandan braj jan ranjan
Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda
nandan braj jan ranjan / Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan
Yashoda nandan braj jan ranjan / Jamuna
teer ban chari
Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari
Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari
Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari / Jai
radha madhav jai kunj bihari /Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari / Jai radha
madhav jai kunj bihari
Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari / Jai
radha madhav jai kunj bihari /Jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari / Jai radha
madhav jai kunj bihari
Hare krishna hare Krishna Krishna
krishna hare hare Hare krishna hare Krishna
Krishna krishna hare hare
Hare krishna hare krishna Krishna krishna hare hare Hare
krishna hare Krishna Krishna krishna hare hare
Hare krishna hare Krishna Krishna
krishna hare hare Hare krishna hare Krishna
Krishna krishna hare hare
Hare rama hare rama Rama rama hare hare Hare rama hare rama Rama rama
hare hare
Hare krishna hare Krishna Krishna krishna hare hare Hare krishna hare Krishna Krishna krishna
hare hare
Hare rama hare rama Rama
rama hare hare Hare
rama hare rama Rama rama hare hare
Cost $75 with goat hair brush or
Kits with Higher grade Brushes upwards to $120 or more depending on the brush or brushes.
Kits
Brush, ink stone, ink stick, bamboo mat for brush, mat for paper, 10 sheets of paper. Newsprint plus free complimentary Sumie printed cards by Gerard
Casual $19 a class buy a block of 5 classes and come anytime $95
(Valid to end of year 2015)
Possible future class Venue
2
Mon or Thur Castlemaine art supply
Possible times 11.00
Mon. Thur.
Arrive 10 .45 for 1100 start and end 12.30
Enrolment Send email to Gerard@ gmenzel@ hotmail.com with... Name Email / mobile Class time / place Class fee paid by 1.3.15 Postal order to G.Menzel C/O Carisbrook GPO
Here is your booking form.
1. Email it back after reading the conditions of enrolment
2 Pay the fee by Postal order to G. Menzel c/o Carisbrook GPO
Or
Deposit money to Bendigo bank BSB 633 000
Acc 128569274
Kits
Brush, ink stone, ink stick, bamboo mat for brush, mat for paper, 10 sheets of paper. Newsprint plus free complimentary Sumie printed cards by Gerard
Synopsis of the workshop Art Supply 21.2.15
What a wonderful afternoon and way to spend a Saturday. Many thanks to those that challenged themselves to try the simple yet profound art of Sumie. The level of enthusiasm and concentration was a delight to feel. It was a true pleasure to be with all the students that attended. The level of artwork was amazing for first timers and seasoned painters. It was a pleasure to share Sumie with one and all. As those who were there can attest, Sumie is not difficult yet it is illusory to perfect. Gerard
Mob 0407734479 Go to https://wildlotus-arts.blogspot.com.au
Sumie
is a beautiful way to paint nature and the world in all its beauty & grace
as we see the world in a different light.
Chan
Buddhism from China
travelled to Japan in the 13
C. Sumie is a discipline made famous by the Zen monks in Japan who
painted in order to train their minds in observation, patience & art
technique. Sumie is Zen in creative meditative action.
The
art requires a change of perspective and philosophy in order to see the world
in the Zen way. In Zen nature and
humanity is one, joined by the same elements of water, wood, fire etc...and in
the painting process we join with nature to express the very essence of the
world in a minimalist fashion.
Therefore,
a reflective quietened mind which leads to a peaceful heart and spirit is, The
Way of Zen Sumie. Rice paper, a
brush and monochrome black ink art the simple tools.
Learn
to concentrate and relax. Find a lifelong discipline for the soul and discover nature’s
essence, or ‘Chi’ from Gerard, a respected artist, Tai Chi teacher.
Teacher: Gerard a Tai
Chi and Aikido teacher with a Masters in Asia studies imbibes in the class a
rich background & perspective from Asia
where he has studied and lived. Gerard
has toured schools, has had art residencies in Vic and SA colleges/schools
taught in Adult education and exhibited widely.
NUMBERS LIMITED TO 8 SO BOOK
EARLY
Where Art Supply 209 Barker st Castlemaine
Pre booked - Sat 1 day $65 including materials BYO Kit $55
Plus; Free Brush to take home
A Planned Term is set to follow in March
Program
includes; Sumie practical art videos/discussion on Zen and Art
2.Refunds
14 days prior to event 100% less a booking fee of $15, / 13 -7 days prior to event 50% refund / less than, less than 7 days 20% refund
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
