Demonstration Artist

Clemmie King, Chinese Brush Demo
February 9th, 2012 | 7-9pm

During the mid-1990’s, Clemmie lived in Philadelphia and worked in the pharmaceutical industry. She frequently visited a market research facility in Chicago, where she was routinely distracted by a meditative Asian Painting on display and eventually decided to try learning to paint. After failure to learn from a library book, she sought instruction. Since then, she has studied Asian Brush Painting briefly with three masters: Sea Young Oh (from Korea); Keiko Miyamori (from Japan); and I-Hsuing Ju (from China). She was influenced by each of them, and also was interested in the differences between their personal philosophies and methods.

Working primarily with black Sumi-E ink, Clemmie was drawn to art images without color. She began creating charcoal drawings and in 2003, graduated with an MFA in Drawing from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Clemmie moved to North Carolina, where she taught Chinese Brush Painting, Oil Painting, and Charcoal drawing at various venues. In late 2006, she moved (with her husband, Eric) to Stockton, where she has enjoyed teaching Chinese Brush Painting at The Tracy Grand Theater of the Arts, Lodi Community Art Center, and at The Haggin Museum.

Over the years, her watercolors, oil paintings, Chinese brush paintings, etchings, woodcuts, pastels and charcoal drawings have won many awards in open juried exhibitions, including eight Best in Shows. Her artwork appears in private and public collections in 14 states. She has been a member of the Sumi-E Society of America for many years.

Chinese Brush Painting evolved during the advent of Zen Buddhism (Southern Song Dynasty, 960-1250AD). Originally, it was a visual form of communication (not an aesthetic endeavor), used by Zen Buddhist Monks to convey pictorial, meditative lessons pertaining to character development and personal conduct. The Zen Monks purposefully integrated ideals from Buddhism, Taoism, andConfucianism; thus, the Canons of Chinese Brush Painting integrate concepts from these three philosophies.

At this month's program meeting, Clemmie will share the rich history and evolution of this venerable art form. She will display the unique tools involved, and conduct a demonstration. Finally, two interactive "painting stations" will be set-up; all attendees are invited to give it a try.