Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Kanji Writing

Kanji Writing
15.5" x 9"
Pastel
Casey Klahn

The White Writing of Mark Tobey is an influence on me. I'm still trying to figure out how to express it, though.

11 comments:

Gesa said...

Oh... visiting for the first time in what seems ages and this beautiful piece welcomes me. It is glorious, Casey. I love the colours and the lines.

Brian McGurgan said...

I agree with Gesa, Casey, these colors are gorgeous. The relationship between the warm, light values and the darker parts of the composition is very satisfying, as is the line work. What paper are you working on here? And are there specific kanji characters you are drawing inspiration from? Just curious – I’ve been studying Japanese for ten years (with varying degrees of intensity) and can see many characters loosely suggested in the tree trunks and branches.

Casey Klahn said...

Thanks David and Gesa.

The paper is La Carte. I'm thinking more of Mark Tobey, whose oriental influence was centered around his trip to Kyoto, than I am about Kanji. I have been there, too, and it is an impressive and historical place. But, my Nihongo is limited.

These could have been described as hiragana or katakana, since it's just an idea in my mind to express abstract gestures similar to Tobey's White Writing.

I'm glad you liked the lines, as there are some imperfections that I decided just to leave as is.

daviddrawsandpaints said...

Brilliant elongated glimpse of the forest with half-caught bold colours.
Excellent stuff,
rEGARDS,
BRIAN

Brian McGurgan said...

Thanks for the insight, Casey - except it's Brian and not David. David's commentary would have been more entertaining and colorful!

Casey Klahn said...

Thanks, David.

Brian, can I blame the pain killers and muscle relaxers? I keep calling you David, but I do remember you! Sorry.

Brian McGurgan said...

No problem Casey! I don't mind you swapping our names, and David seems fine with it too!

daviddrawsandpaints said...

Here's a way to differentiate us Casey: Brian is the tall handsome one, and I'm the one with the short fat hairy legs. Also, Brian is the one with the intellegent comments and I'm the one with the nonsense!
How can you possibly get us mixed up now :o)
BRIAVID

Casey Klahn said...

You can't fool me, David. It was John with the sfh legs.

Casey Klahn said...

My bad. It was Paul's foil, Eric Morcambe, with the legs - and it was George who had the big, fat, hairy head.

See, I can get it right sometimes...if I try.

Brian McGurgan said...

Kyoko says she agrees with the "tall" part but begs to differ on "handsome"...