Inspiration: Hitsuzendo

Jiun Sonja (1718-1804), Nantendo (1839-1925) and Kasumi Bunsho (1905-1998)

Hitsuzendo, the "art of the brush" of Zen philosophy has had a great influence on my work. This style of calligraphy is direct and leaves no room for revision or hesitation.  You must act with self-confidence. The practitioners strive to be fluid and pure in their execution, breathing vitality and individuality into their marks. 
I share the same views in art making with this approach and below have included one of my recent paintings that I feel illustrate some of these elements. I hope one can see a similar stroke mirrored in the outstretched arm and torso of this figure.

Daedalus watching his son fall, latex paint on canvas, 48" x 30", 2014

The Abstract Expressionist painter Franz Kline was also influenced by Zen calligraphy and incorporated some elements into his own work. Kline is another artist I greatly admire and who has been influential on my work as can be seen in the montage below....

Below is another example of one of my recent paintings, that I hope illustrate some of the principles mentioned above.

Charging man, latex paint on canvas, 25" x 30", 2014, private collection, Great Falls, VA