Sumi-e Paintings by Drue Kataoka

My aim is to capture the subject matter's essence in a few single strokes. Each brush stroke is a meaningful gesture in dialogue with those that have come before and after it. Evoking emotion the brush stroke invites the viewer not only into itself but also the space in and around it.

Indelible Ink

Holding the sumi ink-loaded brush over the rice-white silk, the Sumi-e artist has one chance to execute the stroke. An indelibly inked brush stroke that cannot be changed nor altered becomes a powerful metaphor for life itself. Each new day is like no other preceding it nor like any other that follows.

Brush Strokes

In Sumi-e, the technique for loading ink on to the fude (brush) is of the greatest importance. The Sumi-e artist must balance multiple shades of ink from the palest grey to the deepest ebony on different parts of the brush knowing they will be released at different moments and at different speeds—all in one stroke. The right consistency of the ink, or amount of moisture needed is not something that can be measured but can only be determined through intuition, experience and skill.