“There is an energy within me that releases when I face my blank paper with inked brush in hand. Painting is spontaneous and time escapes me. The journey is all important. How lucky I am to have the ZEN SPIRIT within me and then be able to share through my paintings.”

Artist Darlene Dihel studies the free-form style of SUMI-E, Japanese black ink painting. Asian colors are often incorporated into the compositions. Using bamboo brushes with animal hair on hand-made “rice paper” is necessary  for achieving the basic calligraphy strokes used for creating images such as bamboo, a bird, or landscape.

Darlene has painted since the fifties, but SUMI-E has captured her heart. She shares this art  by teaching classes, participating as a vendor in festivals, and presenting shows of her own each year. She is an active member of Puget Sound Sumi Artists (PSSA) which promotes sumi-e and Asian calligraphy.