Welcome to my Sumi-e Gallery!

Click a small picture on the left to view a larger version of it here.

Sumi-e (pronounced soo-me-ay) refers to a monochrome painting executed on paper or silk in so-called sumi or Chinese ink (i.e., a black pigment made from soot and glue).

Sumi-e originated in China and was introduced to Japan by Zen monk painters. It is still quite popular in modern Japan, as is demonstrated by the many sumi-e classes taught in local community centers.

I have been practicing sumi-e in such an art class on a bi-weekly basis for several years now. What fascinates me most about this painting style is the intensity of expression that can be reached with minimal means, such as a single color, a few well-chosen brush strokes, and a lot of empty space--room for imagination...

Although most of my paintings are still branded by my Japanese sources and environment, I intend to free myself from these influences eventually and to apply this unique Eastern technique to Western motifs. That would offer a fresh approach to an Asian eye while bringing this art form closer to a Westerner.

For a more exotic touch, I am displaying my paintings in original (mostly traditional) Japanese frames.

Tip: This page is best viewed at a monitor resolution of 1024 x 768 dpi on a 17" monitor.

Daruma

(6th-century Chinese Buddhist priest)

© 1999 Benoît Schütz