Winter clarity and creative exploration in Japan

1 March 2019

In January Blair visited Japan as part of a project kindly funded by the GB Sasakawa Foundation. He had an exciting packed schedule learning about various Shodo calligraphy styles of Japanese calligraphy with Shodo masters in Tokyo, and investigating mindful meditation practices with different teachers and monks in Tokyo and the Hokuriku area.

He met respected Japanese Zazen meditation (Zen) teachers to investigate connections between mindful meditation practice for calm and well-being, Japanese harmony with the environment and Shakyo practice. Shakyo is a peaceful, meditative method of tracing the Japanese and Chinese kanji characters of sutras such as the Heart Sutra (copying the old version of traveler monk Genjo in the temple artwork below, Blair enjoyed this in Soto shu and also Hosso shu temples in Tokyo). His teachers introduced him to Ganshinkei’s (Yan Zhenqing) calligraphy being exhibited at Tokyo National Museum, as well as an exhibition of shodo pieces he visited in Ueno.

Visiting Okamoto Taro’s studio museum in Aoyama was also an inspiration as this is an artist that inspires some of the D+P Studio artwork collaborations.

It was a fun trip for Blair and he was able to stay in an old Soto Shu temple as well as learn from masters like Issho Fujita who are knowledgeable about many Japanese practices related to Buddhism and mindfulness. In different temples he found varying and subtle styles of meditation practice (such as in Soto and Rinzai temples). He also visited Natadera temple and caves, an old Shingon temple dating to the 8th century – he found connections there between the sacred earth and nature worship of Shinto, Hakusan mountain reverance and Buddhist meditative practice.

There were many mysteries and places he would have liked to spend more time delving into, but he couldn’t stop too long before hopping on the next bus or shinkansen train to reach a new Zazen meeting or Shodo workshop! Blair is very thankful for all the support he received in Japan, from many kind and helpful individuals as well as teachers and monks.

From March to May we are running a series of free workshops in the Glasgow area exploring the themes mentioned above.

7th March 2019
Ruchill After School P4-P7 Shodo Japanese Calligraphy

8th March 2019
Maryhill 12+ Shodo Japanese Calligraphy

9th March 2019
Maryhill Breakfast Club Shodo Japanese Calligraphy

25th April 2019
Maryhill Art Group – Japanese calligraphy night

28th April 2019
Introduction to Japanese Sho Calligraphy

4th May 2019
Introduction to Shakyo – Tracing the Sutras

We will have fun trying out and discussing Japanese Shodo calligraphy, meditation and mindful awareness, and investigate how these practices can help us connect with our environment through markmaking. Also we will look for shared cultural connections for instance with Celtic and Pictish symbols and pictograms. There is very little knowledge about mindful Shakyo practice, which is a calming and activity aiding wellbeing and awareness, this is a new practice for people in the UK.

Kindly supported by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

Category: News Tags: Meditation, Sasakawa Foundation, Shodo calligraphy

Season’s Greetings ❄⛄🎄

23 December 2018

The Drawing and Painting Studio wishes you a peaceful and relaxing festive holiday!

Thanks for all your support and creative energy in 2018.

Merry Christmas banner by North United Communities kids group!

Category: News Tags: NUC, Young people's art

Funding for Maryhill Art Group awarded by Glasgow CAN

22 October 2018

We are delighted to let you know we have received funding from Glasgow Connected Arts Network (Glasgow CAN) for our community group in The Maryhill HUB to take us to the end of March 2019.

The next Maryhill Art Group will be inspired by nature, it is a very easygoing evening session and open to anyone to come along, and no art experience is needed. There is more info on our website.

Maryhill Art Group Event Page

Past Maryhill Art Group activities

Category: News Tags: Community Groups, Maryhill Art Group

Thursday art groups rescheduled for this week

6 March 2018

Hi folks, just to let you know that our Glasgow groups last Thursday which were cancelled due to the icy Siberian snowfall have been rescheduled for this Thursday instead, the 8th of March, at the same times.

We have our North United Communities after school group in the afternoon, as well as our expressive and fun Maryhill Art Group at 7pm at Maryhill Hub. Hope you can make it, with no ice shoes required this time 🙂

Category: News

Thursday 1st March Art Groups cancelled

1 March 2018

Due to snow and centre closures in Glasgow, our art groups at Ruchill Community Centre and also Maryhill Art Group on Thursday 1st of March are cancelled. Apologies for any inconvenience and we hope to see you soon. Enjoy the magical snowy world!

Category: News

Dates set for Urban Sketching Tours at Parkhead

18 April 2017

Three drawing tours following the Parkhead Heritage Trail:

Saturday 29th April ‘The Built Environment’- Alan Wilson
Saturday 27th May ‘Setting the Scene’- Esther Semmens
Saturday 24th June ‘Dynamic Line’- Blair Thomson

Tours will begin at 1.30pm from the Parkhead Art Studio, Parkhead Cross, 1 Westmuir Street, Glasgow G31 5EH. All materials will be provided, all abilities welcome, tours are free.

Category: News Tags: Parkhead Arts Centre

Discussing creative approaches at the Mitchell Library for combining art and literacy

22 March 2017

At the Aye Write ’17 Adult Literacy event at the Mitchell Library, March – Blair discussing the creative approaches to combine art and design and writing – for the publication ‘Future’ which was launched at the event.

Category: News Tags: Community Groups, Poetry and creative writing

‘Future’ publication launched at the Glasgow Aye Write! Book Festival

20 March 2017

The cover of this community art book. Has been a fantastic project to work with everyone on..

Category: News Tags: Community Groups, Poetry and creative writing