Art Groups

Brushing Mind Here and Now is Buddha

Brushing Mind Here and Now is Buddha

At our monthly Shodo calligraphy group online on Zoom we brushed the four deep characters Soku Shin Ze Butsu  即心是佛 , a famous old zen saying –  heart-mind here and now is Buddha – about being together with all things. We brushed this in the… Read More »Brushing Mind Here and Now is Buddha

Refresh forest air at De-stress

Refreshing forest air at De-stress

At our September De-stress drawing and doodling group we had an inspiring and settling theme of being near trees and in the forests, breathing the pure air and finding inspiration in the colours of the trees and light shining through ??? It was nice company… Read More »Refreshing forest air at De-stress

Learning the time in Kanji and Hiragana

Learning the time in Kanji and Hiragana

The theme for September at our Kanji Club group was 時間 Jikan – Time ⌛ From telling the time ⌚ to counting time spent, current affairs etc, these are very handy characters to get to know.  We read and wrote these in Chinese characters and… Read More »Learning the time in Kanji and Hiragana

Lively lines and animals at stamp making

Lively lines and animals at stamp making

At Japanese stamp making it was great to see folk experimenting with different pictures to make into stamps. We had a lovely horse that really came to life. Blair talked about stamp design layout and combining characters vertically, and we enjoyed some peaceful time working… Read More »Lively lines and animals at stamp making

destress drawing 2 Blair Thomson D+P Studio

Creative Time – Abstract doodly fun

This month take a few minutes break to doodle any shapes, lines or patterns you fancy. It is so relaxing to just take any pen and start with a line or shape, then bring other shapes and lines around it, curves or zig zags or… Read More »Creative Time – Abstract doodly fun

Shakyo practice of the Boundless Life Bodhisattva of Compassion Sutra

Shakyo practice of the Boundless Life Bodhisattva of Compassion Sutra

At our cozy and friendly zoom Shakyo group, we copied the short Boundless Life Ten Line Bodhisattva of Compassion Sutra (Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo) 延命十句観音経 for wellbeing and meditative practice. It is a short Sutra so we had some extra time to have a chat… Read More »Shakyo practice of the Boundless Life Bodhisattva of Compassion Sutra

Vitality of Shodo calligraphy at Zen Brush

Vitality of Shodo calligraphy at Zen Brush

After the summer break we met at our online group and enjoyed brushing the characters kiryoku 気力 , which means – vitality or energy, or willpower. The first kanji Ki 気 (in the pic attached) is the same character as qi/chi in Chinese such as… Read More »Vitality of Shodo calligraphy at Zen Brush

Destress doodling mountains for space and wellbeing

Destress doodling mountains for space and wellbeing

At Destress doodling this month we had a theme of being in the open spaces of the mountains and hills, enjoying the mysterious light and space to breathe. It was a relaxing group with people having the time to settle, feel grounded and calm.  We… Read More »Destress doodling mountains for space and wellbeing

Olympic theme of 5 rings and numbers at Kanji Club

Olympic theme of 5 rings and numbers at Kanji Club

The theme for August was 五輪 Gorin – literally Five Rings – meaning that is, the Olympics! And since we were counting, we practiced most of the useful kanji numbers from zero to many million. So helpful for reading numbers in kanji whether from a… Read More »Olympic theme of 5 rings and numbers at Kanji Club

Creative Time - Above and below the waves

Creative Time – Above and below the waves

Have you made it to the open space of the seaside or lochs this summer? Or can you imagine being on the water, looking out to big horizons or looking down and seeing colourful mysterious sea creatures swimming below? For our Creative Time fun artwork… Read More »Creative Time – Above and below the waves