The Brush Dances

By Roslyn Levin

Roslyn Levin shares her than 40 years experience painting and teaching in sumi-e with easily followed detailed descriptions.

In this art form one moves with grace, strength, flexibility and balance.

The artist is challenged to create paintings of simplicity and eloquence.

Learn more brush control and sensitivity, to gain a st

• Language: English
• Publisher: Art by Roslyn
• Release date: May 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781999393618

Roslyn Levin

Roslyn Levin has practiced sumi-e or Japanese brushstroke painting, since 1976 & Japanese calligraphy, shodo, since 2009 having as sensei's, respectively, Tomoko Kodama and Noriko Maeda. She has painted professionally since 1981. Her work has appeared in both national and international exhibits in Canada as well as in group exhibits in China,and Japan sponsored by, Ottawa based, Group Yohaku. Her work has also appeared in juried exhibits in London, England. Her paintings are in art collections in Canada, France, Holland, Australia, Great Britain, as well as other locations across Europe and the United States. She has won multiple awards for her painting. Ms Levin is well-known for her paintings depicting cats, cranes, herons and swans portrayed in just one brushstroke. She has been teaching sumi-e for more than 30 years which lead to her writing "The Brush Dances" so many more people would have access to instruction in painting in this manner. Ms Levin also practices many complementary heal arts including Tai Chi, Therapeutic Touch, Bach Flowers and Indian Head Massage. Her website is www.artbyroslyn.on.ca

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ISBN 978-1-9993936-0-1

ISBN 978-1-9993936-1-8 (e-book)

All rights are reserved.

Copyright © 2018 Roslyn Faye Levin

For all content, photographs, etc. that contain specific brand names or brand products, these are copyrighted and/or trademarked by the respective companies and/or organizations, unless otherwise specified.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without written permission of the copyright holder.

For information: www.artbyroslyn.on.ca

First edition

Published and printed in Canada

People, places or incidents mentioned and/or information provided herein reflect solely the author’s viewpoint. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental or based solely on the author’s perspective. This book is not intended to provide personalized advice or guarantee specific results, as results are dependent upon many individual factors which are beyond control of the author.

This book was written, edited and published by the author. Work is included as provided by the author, views expressed are those of the author and any errors, omissions or otherwise are the author’s responsibility.

Acknowledgements

This book would not have been possible without the help of so many people. I would like to first thank my two sensei, Tomoko Kodama and Noriko Maeda, to whom this book is dedicated.

It would not have been possible for me to properly formulate all the ideas presented in this book without the teachings of my many students, who have filled my life with challenges and joy.

Joan Hope, who owns and operates Dragonfly Arts on Broadway, which has housed my studio for more than 10 years, has encouraged me in all my artistic endeavours.

Thanks also go to my friend and fellow artist, Jennifer McKinnon

(www.turnoffatestudio.ca), who is a woodturner extraordinaire. She courageously offered to try and paint using the instructions herein!

I would also like to acknowledge the work of my publishing team at TRIMATRIX Management Consulting Inc., who have lead me through the maze of creating an actual book!

Andrew Cherry, my husband, who supports me, not only with his love and encouragement, but also by making stretchers and frames for all my art. He ensures that I eat on a regular schedule when I am in full workaholic mode, and is more than any artist could hope for in a life partner.

I also wish to thank the Dufferin Arts Council for awarding me the Reed T. Cooper Bursary, enabling me to produce this book, and also for their patience throughout its creation.

Dedication

I was introduced to sumi‐e by Tomoko Kodama in 1976 at the Ottawa School of Art. Over the years she became my sensei (teacher), my mentor and my friend. She not only taught many students to paint in sumi‐e, but she also developed the Body, Breath, Brush method of painting in Oriental brushstroke technique, and formed Group Yohaku (White Space), through which many Canadian sumi‐e artists were able to show work in both China and Japan.

Tomoko's untimely death in 2010 was a great blow to all who knew and cared for her.

Portrait of Tomoko Kodama by author

A haiku for Tomoko

Her brush is stilled here on earth

but her ink sings always

oh, such beautiful clouds

Noriko Maeda, my shodo (Japanese calligraphy) instructor, shares the dedication of this book with Tomoko.

I searched for more than 20 years for a sensei who could help me grow further as a sumi‐e artist. Until I met Noriko Maeda, I had not found such a person. Noriko‐sensei continually challenges me to improve my brushstrokes and composition. She has also helped me with understanding the Japanese culture.

Noriko-sensei is responsible for working with me to choose my Japanese artist name, Shun Swee (Spring Water), which is a reflection of who I am and how I paint. Noriko-sensei has also taught me the art of tenkoku (stamp carving) through her day‐long classes each summer. I so enjoy this part of sumi‐e that I have carved more than 30 hanko (namestamps) with various meanings in Japanese.

Noriko instigated the formation of Shodo Canada in 2008, through which I have participated