In Ancient China, scholars believed in the Three Perfections: painting, poetry, and calligraphy. Steven’s lesson today
introduced the children to calligraphy as an art. Steven has visited China where he has met calligraphers dedicated to keeping old traditions alive, and hung a beautiful scroll made by Hu Fengquan.
After gathering everyone around a large table, Steven shared the four treasures found on a scholar’s table: rice paper, delicate brushes made from bamboo and horse hair for poetry and calligraphy, a beautiful block of elaborately decorated ink, and an ink stone made from river stone. For inspiration, scholars often had intricately decorated fans, carved brush pots with nature scenes, and stones with scenes carved by nature which bring qi into the home. Although the children used real ink from China in their painting today, Steven showed them how artists prepare their ink, grinding it gently on the stone. Preparing ink this way, prepares the mind to write or paint.
The children were given the opportunity to practice their painting strokes using brushes from China. “Imagine the brush dancing on stage or as an ice skater skating across a pond. Look at the strokes and ask yourself, qi or no qi.” After practicing, the children listened to Chinese music from Lake Landscape on a Moonlit Autumn Night, and using “grace, energy, and qi” painted delicate strokes on rice paper. Their work was used as an inspiration to write a new poem. “Use your imagination and let the painting speak.”
