Stillness of Space and Line

The Stillness of Space and Line was inspired by The Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting. Although it was inspired by the classic manual of oriental painting, this book does not teach how to paint or draw. It is more about how to see and experience Stillness. The Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting was one of the first books ever printed and used wooden block cut outs to show the brush strokes. It also contains amazing insights on painting, brush strokes, and composition. My style is derived from traditional painters of the 11th century and specifically focuses on the Po-mo (Throw-ink) method as opposed to the more meticulous Gong-bi (Tortured brush, court-style) painting. I also favored the Xieyi style of Chinese painting which uses broad, expressionistic strokes of ink. The Xieyi style literally means "writing the meaning down". The artists were typically scholars or literati whose paintings were created in a single sitting while the artist is focused on expressing the Qi or vital spirit of the work. The brush strokes represent the yang energy while the paper represents the yin. In my project the space is the yin and the line is the yang energy. The book is divided into six sections of images, trees, rocks, water, clouds, bamboo, and beyond. The images are for meditation and peace. Follow the flowing lines as they divide and open the space before you. Use the images to relax and transform your current state of mind. Find the stillness you seek just by holding the book and turning the pages. Find one that speaks to you at this moment. Allow yourself to discover the quiet stillness within each image. Breathe into the lines and inhale from the space that holds the lines. The lines arise from the empty space and remain part of the connection to the presence of the moment. The images are timeless and alive with presence.