D+P Studio News
Here is a wee bit of news from the D+P Studio!
Practicing zen in different styles of shodo calligraphy
16 June 2020
At our Zen Brush 🖌 calligraphy group coming up on Monday the group will be working from the varied styles and strokes of the mysterious and graceful character 禅 for Zen. And we will explore the multi layered meanings within the kanji character itself. It can be brushed as a meditation too! 🙂
Category: Art Groups Tags: Shodo calligraphy
Creative Time – looking up for the crescent moon
12 June 2020
We are often drawn to a super moon but miss the crescent, especially if we live in a more urban area. After the recent full moon we have a waning moon orbiting us just now – gradually thinning down to a slender crescent in the summery night sky. Thanks to Laura who has sent us inspiration for this activity with her mysterious origami crescent below.
For this activity you could do several things such as draw a moon shape, eclipse or cratery surface, or write a short poem about what the moon stirs in you or about a scene that has struck you. Above we made a really easy origami moon which is fun to follow if you would like to try it!
This is an instruction link to the origami moon Laura made, quite an intricate one which takes time, but captures something special about the graceful and enigmatic qualities of the dreamy celestial body.
It’s the sea with the moon light reflection on it at the bottom. It was interesting to do, trying to come up different ways for the different parts. So it would be different from the original drawing.
Materials which Elaine used:
Sketch book
Japanese Paper ~ Moon
Sketch pencils ~ Sea, eye, fisherman and fishing line
Watercolour pencils ~ Eye colour
Watercolour paints ~Fisherman
Fineliner pens ~ Eyelash and Fisherman
Parcel cardboard ~ backing for fisherman
Melted stretched plastic ~ Fishing rod
Cotton wool ~ Clouds
Stick of Glue ~ Glued the Moon, the drawing of fisherman onto cardboard, the fishing rod and cotton wool.
More of us are being at home now, so we are bringing you some regular fun and relaxing activities – Creative Time – to encourage you to have some creative enjoyment and stay in touch!
It would be great if you would like to send us an image of anything you make, for us to show online if possible, please either 1. post on our Facebook page or 2. email us your image.
This project is kindly supported by Glasgow Connected Arts Network
Category: Art Tags: Community Groups, Creative Time
Shakyo – bringing the Sutra to life with each brush stroke and pen mark
8 June 2020
Our first online Shakyo 写経 practice event saw us come together from Scotland, and elsewhere such as the rest of the UK and Canada, forming a lovely group of sutra tracing and copying practitioners.
Beginning with an introduction about the history of shakyo and the development of it from Tang dynasty China to modern day Japan, with descriptions of experiences and process in Japanese Buddhist temples such as Zen and Hossou schools, and then we discussed the meditative as well as practical techniques, demos and tips to prepare us.
We also talked about the Boundless Life Ten Phrase Kannon Sutra 延命十句観音経 and its connections to other sutras, looked at particular kanji characters and phrases, and how the sutra has been popular and cherished over the centuries as one that aids wellbeing in times of sickness or difficulty.
After our tea, we lit the incense, rang the bell, chanted and began quietly tracing or copying, working from the short but meaningful and energetic sutra, assisted by worksheets with the kanji and meanings. Some people simply used pens with plain paper whilst others had brush pens or shakyo brush with suzuri inkwell and Japanese paper. It was great to see the the sutras of everyone, here are some examples.
It was a peaceful and meditative atmosphere and one where we could practice with care, feeling and attentiveness working on each stroke bringing each character and letter to life. We connected with our senses, felt grounded and connected with the sutra.
We wrote our wish in the traditional manner (in Japanese and English) in the allotted space as well as the date and our name, passing the merits beyond our group, and then we completed our practice with a short chant and some time to briefly chat together about our experience.
Thanks to all the participants for their wholehearted practice.
Category: Art Groups Tags: Shakyo
Cats being cats – Creative Time
5 June 2020
Would you like to create an artwork, short poem, write something about cats, or take a photo of them? It could be about your own cat, or cats you have seen outside, or an imaginary feline.. 😻
One of our Creative Time participants Elaine kindly shared an artwork (sketchbook pastels drawing above) and some mysterious writing about her quirky delightful two cats:
“The oldest being Elliot, he’s a black cat and the youngest is Jasmine, she was a light grey with white fur. She actually looks like she’s wearing a tuxedo.
Although they were both house cats, they liked being in the back garden till they were comfortable going to the front garden. They run away when other people come near them.
Jasmine is the one that likes to bring in small gifts into the house. Elliot can’t as he too old and only has his front teeth. I sometimes watch them what they get up to. Like at Christmas they sit on the chairs at the table that’s set up. Elliot tried to clean me like a cat. Jasmine bringing a mouse into, but she’s trying to teach me how to catch it. Elliot licking my plate cos he likes the taste of an Indian mild chicken curry. Elliot sitting on my Mum’s buggy as if he’s about to drive it. Jasmine looks like she’s cleaning my bedroom window. Both of them hiding underneath a car to attack a dog walking by. Both of them sitting in my suitcase when I’m packing my suitcase. Jasmine being a bit picky as she couldn’t eat any fish cat food. Jasmine hiding amongst our clothes that are hanging on the clothes whirler when the birds are eating in our back garden.
There are times when I don’t think they’re cats. They like going out for walks with me before settling in for the night. I normally have to wait about midnight where there’s no people about and less traffic. When people do see me with Elliot and Jasmine, they can’t believe there’s no harness or leash on them. Even in winter they like sitting in the drive way with the front door open.”
🙂
Laura describes Pooka and her name 🙂
Pooka is a tortoiseshell coloured cat. They are know for being a bit feisty and stubborn and she very much lives up to this archetype – but then I am a red head so perhaps we are well matched! Tortoiseshell cats are considered lucky in many cultures, including old Celtic folklore which is coincidentally where her name comes from. A pooka is a Celtic mythical creature or ghost which may bring good or bad fortune with it. Hopefully I appease her enough to bring only good!
More of us are being at home now, so we are bringing you some regular fun and relaxing activities – Creative Time – to encourage you to have some creative enjoyment and stay in touch!
It would be great if you would like to send us an image of anything you make, for us to show online if possible, please either 1. post on our Facebook page or 2. email us your image.
This project is kindly supported by Glasgow Connected Arts Network
Category: Art Tags: Community Groups, Creative Time
Let’s make a samurai helmet for Children’s Day
5 May 2020
On May 5th in Japan it is Kodomo no hi こどもの日 – Children’s Day!
Origami is really popular in Japan just now with folk staying at home more, and this origami samurai helmet can be worn by children or adults alike, depending on the size.
Around the time of this day for children, families may display inside their homes a small helmet or samurai dolls symbolising bravery and strength, or Japanese iris flowers to keep evil at bay.
Start with a square piece of paper, you can use any paper as long as it isn’t too thick, mark it into a square and trim with scissors. We used coloured paper, and also tried A2 sized newsprint (in the video) which was the ideal helmet size for Blair to proudly wear.
You can use newspaper too, which is a good size for a samurai to be able to wear.
The first part of the video is drawing the pattern, which is optional so you can skip ahead a bit for the folding. Have fun and send us a pic of you wearing your kabuto 兜 helmet!
Watch this longer 5 minutes video demo:
Here are some delightful photos of participants in Japan and UK looking lordly in their samurai kabuto helmets!!
More of us are being at home now, so we are bringing you some regular fun and relaxing activities – Creative Time – to encourage you to have some creative enjoyment and stay in touch!
It would be great if you would like to send us an image of anything you make, for us to show online if possible, please either 1. post on our Facebook page or 2. email us your image.
Category: Art Tags: Community Groups, Creative Time, Origami, Young people's art
Fold your own origami sunshine – Creative Time
27 April 2020
The sun is becoming much stronger now and bringing life and colour. Can you make a sun out of paper only using origami folding? We folded a couple of versions, based on the youtube videos below.
Tip:
Start with square paper, or measure and cut to a square. It is much easier to fold lighter, thinner types of paper.
Try this easy sun origami:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJKq0N5qn0I
And if you fancy a more challenging paper folding, how about this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPvrr5LQ9EU
Thanks to these origami youtube paper folders for the inspiration 🙂
How about adding your own personal touch with patterns, colours or just some funky sunglasses?
Thanks Laura for sending your mysterious and geometric crescent moon. It is very spacy and points up to the heavens! 🌙
More of us are being at home now, so we are bringing you some regular fun and relaxing activities – Creative Time – to encourage you to have some creative enjoyment and stay in touch!
It would be great if you would like to send us an image of anything you make, for us to show online if possible, please either 1. post on our Facebook page or 2. email us your image.
Category: Art Tags: Community Groups, Creative Time, Origami, Young people's art
Write, type or doodle a few seasonal words – Creative Time
11 April 2020
The leaves and flowers are out and there is a green fresh feel outside and a seasonal spaciousness too. Although many of us are being inside more, there is still a different feel and atmosphere indoors coming from the change in the season, that if you slow down and notice you can really connect with. See if you can write even just literally a few words about it, here is some inspiration:
Flowery Dale
Narrowly a trail
Fades away into the flowers
Blooming in the dale
-Haiku by Fukoku
vast undulating waves
of being,
stillness
above, magnolia flowers
throwing open a way far beyond
into a new vista
of scoured whites and deep blue
light pouring in
heart opening
-three short ones by Shogen (Blair)
Spring brings surprises…
birdsong, sun showers, delight.
A fox’s wedding!
Laura
Thank you Laura for your lively haiku poem full of nature and happiness! We love your friendly (and slightly mischievous looking) fox with bushy tail which you have brushed nicely in ink 🙏🦊🌦❤️
Spring Haiku poem by Ken
Sunlight slants across the roof
seagulls call
cat to the window
Thank you, Ken 😊🐱
This peaceful poem is from Annabel
silence in the streets
no church bells ringing today
everyone is at home
Thank you Annabel 🤫🔔
More of us are being at home now, so we are bringing you some regular fun and relaxing activities – Creative Time – to encourage you to have some creative enjoyment and stay in touch!
It would be great if you would like to send us an image of anything you make, for us to show online if possible, please either 1. post on our Facebook page or 2. email us your image.
Category: Art Tags: Community Groups, Creative Time
Try some springy nature photography Creative Time
25 March 2020
If you are able to do this take a photo which is spring or nature-themed, for example if you have any flowers (we were given some free by our local supermarket!), or if you have a garden, or you can see the sky and safely take a photo from your window. Of course it’s ok to use your older photos as well 😊
Laura’s shiny green house plant looks very sturdy!
Thanks Laura for your refreshing and light photo of someiyoshino sakura cherry blossoms, very peaceful 🌸
Here is a delightful and very feeling poem by Matsuo Basho from Laura inspired by cherry blossoms.
“Sunlight that gives nature its blessing.”, such a nice description of the rosy pink type of cherry blossoms. Thanks for all the info and inspirational photos Laura 😊
More of us are being at home now, so we are bringing you some regular fun and relaxing activities – Creative Time – to encourage you to have some creative enjoyment and stay in touch!
It would be great if you would like to send us an image of anything you make, for us to show online if possible, please either 1. post on our Facebook page or 2. email us your image.
Category: Art Tags: Community Groups, Creative Time
Let’s write Spring Equinox
20 March 2020
Try out writing spring (or vernal) equinox – Shunbun 春分 – using Japanese Shodo calligraphy, or in your own style in any language!
These two kanji on their own literally mean spring and segment/part/share.
March Equinox – this is the time equal day and night, when the sun is directly above the Equator. In the Northern Hemisphere it is the Spring Equinox, and it’s called the Autumnal Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
Find out more about the Spring Equinox https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/march-equinox.html
Laura, thanks so much for writing spring equinox, your piece looks great and we can see how much you’re enjoying the mizu de kaku water paper – you did well to photograph it before the watery brushstrokes disappeared into the mists! Love the poem, it is so tranquil and soothing 🍃🌱🦆
Nice one Ken thank you for sending your image to us by email, great idea to try out using the procreate app on your ipad, that’s interesting you told me you used abstract ‘Triangulum’ brush on the app, it gives a 3D marky feel 🥰
More of us are being at home now, so we are bringing you some regular fun and relaxing activities – Creative Time – to encourage you to have some creative enjoyment and stay in touch!
It would be great if you would like to send us an image of anything you make, for us to show online if possible, please either 1. post on our Facebook page or 2. email us your image.
Category: Art Tags: Community Groups, Creative Time, Shodo calligraphy
Join in our Creative Time fun activities to do at home
20 March 2020
More of us are being at home now, so we are bringing you some regular fun and relaxing activities – Creative Time – to encourage you to have some creative enjoyment and stay in touch!
It would be great if you would like to send us an image of anything you make, for us to show online if possible, please either 1. post on our Facebook page or 2. email us your image.
Category: Art Tags: Community Groups, Creative Time, Young people's art