Brush Painting

Merging: Ink and Word
In 2004 I received a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation Arts Endowment Fund. This grant gave me the opportunity to explore ways of integrating my poetry and Chinese brush painting. These paintings come from that endeavor.

8x18 Detych $800

8x18 Detych $800

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8x18 $450

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11x14 $475

11x14 $475

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Brush Painting from: Merging: Ink and Words

The often poetic layering of images which make-up Kanji characters first fascinated me and enticed me to try Brush Painting. This brought together an early love of painting and my poetry in a way that felt natural and spiritually regenerative. What I love about Brush Painting is within the precise rules which have governed the medium for centuries there is the space for accident and spontaneity which gives life to the painting.

As a 7^th generation Vermonter, the Vermont landscape is in her blood. This has strongly influenced the subject matter of her brush paintings. Landscapes are a traditional subject of Brush Painting and show off the unique qualities of the ink as it reacts to rice paper.

My Chinese signature is taken from the meaning of my own name. 河坤盟 stands for river, woman, oath. My red seal is a carving of these three characters. The seal is important; a painting is not finished with out its imprint.

Here is a poem that I wrote in Kanji and translated in to English.

山雨吟吟

觉夕恋

申意信休

Mountain rain echoes like song

awakens evening, loves longing.

To name the heart: trust it, rest in it.

Brush Painting Prints: Archival ink printed on acid-free paper come in standard 11x14 mat. Framed and matted prints are also available.

Hogback 4" x10" print in 11x14 mat $50 framed $90

Fuller's Flats 4" x10" print in 11x14 mat $50 framed $90

Off Tyler Bridge 4" x10" print in 11x14 mat $50 framed $90

North Branch 4" x10" print in 11x14 mat $50 framed $90

New Haven Bend 4" x10" print in 11x14 mat $50 framed $90

Notes On Chinese Brush Painting:

Ø Many styles of Chinese brush painting were developed over the last 3000 years. The “free style” Karla uses possesses three distinctive qualities: simplicity, spontaneity, and balance. The painting strives to capture the inner spirit of the subject.

Ø Traditional Chinese ink, made of soot and glue, is applied to rice paper. Rice paper has a unique interaction with the ink and holds each brush stroke. There is no covering up mistakes.

Ø Calligraphy is often added to paintings. Bits of poems and phrases can enhance and balance the painting as a whole. The painter often signs their name in traditional or cursive calligraphy.

Ø A painting is not considered finished until the painter’s red seal has been applied.

Ø The mounting process involves soaking the painting with water, applying a rice glue (made from wheat flour), and placing a second sheet of rice paper to the back of the painting. When the adhesion has been completed, the wet painting is glued to a board and allowed to dry. As the painting dries it is stretched flat.

Ø At this point, the painting is ready for framing.


	Van Vliet Arts * 85 North Street * Bristol * VT * 05443 Phone: (802) 453-5813