The paintings are of luminescent events in landscape. They can be seen variously as air, earth and water images. Often, color is muted to achromatic greys and ochres. In some series, strong monochrome color dominates the spatial field. I use traditional chalk gesso on panel, paper, pencil, silverpoint, watercolor and pigment, and also a traditional Japanese distemper painting technique called nihonga.

There is a sense of momentary stillness and time, and above all a spaciousness that reverberates in silence, both simultaneously empty and full. This relates to the concept of ma in Japanese aesthetics: space that presents both a void and yet also paradoxically, a field of energy. It is present in all the traditional arts of Japan.

My years of involvement with teaching and studying the traditional music of Japan are deeply related to my painting, which always alludes to Japanese music forms. The paintings and the music are the same vision and expression, in different states of being.

Nihonga and silverpoint on canvas  >>

David  Sawyer