Original Sumi-e Paintings
on my own environmentally sound hand crafted paper

(pronounced: sue me a)

by Ray Bliss Rich

Five Dancing Millers... on display at Gallery 205 in Concord, NH, through April 25, 2008

The primary object of sumi-e is to represent the subject with very few brush strokes.  This economy of style has often led to sumi-e being referred to as the haiku of painting, as its abbreviated form parallels that of the brief poem.

The nature of sumi-e materials and techniques does not allow reworking or correcting mistakes, so imperfect paintings are destroyed.  This results in a hidden effort behind the completed painting you get to see. 

Note: The foundation of all my paintings is my finely crafted hand pulled paper.  That is a large part of what makes my work so distinctive.  I am a state juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen in Mixed Media: hand pulled paper.  Feel free to inquire about purchasing any of these or similar designs.

I consider my paintings environmentally sound because I do them on my own hand made papers which are.  I consider my papers ecologically sound because... I use invasive plant species like Japanese knotweed... and abundant self sustaining (organic) native plant species like cattail plants... and I recycle used cotton clothing including denim jeans and t-shirts... to make my unusual exotic ecologically sound hand crafted hand made papers.

Curled Cat Shown left is a painting done on my hand made paper with knotweed and other inclusions and imbedded reed segments.  It is shown against a contrasting background to show off the paper's natural deckled edges.  Any painting you receive incorporating embedded reed segments will be framed similarly to show off the paper's natural deckled edges while complimenting a wood frame.

Chickadee Shown left is a painting of a chickadee done on my own hand made paper collaged with other pieces of my own paper.  The painting is done on manila hemp paper with various inclusions collaged with a strip of winter killed knotweed paper over a background of blue denim paper.  For more information on these various papers see my paper making page.

Auspicious Circle Painting - Wild Orchid Shown left is a painting of a wild orchid done on a circular sheet of my hand made manila hemp paper, showing the natural deckled edges, on a background of my dark indigo denim paper.  The circle is an auspicious shape in feng shui and is highly recommended to stimulate positive chi.  Paintings in this style, with a dark sheet of my paper as ground, will be framed with a lighter off white background to show off the deckled edges of my darker paper.

 

Typical Images

My sumi-e style paintings are of various subjects including florals and critters. With the most popular florals being the iris and orchids; and the most popular critters being rabbits and cats.  However; I am happy to consider creating out of the ordinary images especially for you. 

My iris include: blue bearded iris, blue wild iris, lavender bearded iris, lavender wild iris, yellow bearded iris, and river iris. My orchids include: blue wild orchid, showy blue orchid, lavender wild orchid, lavender star orchid, red kimballiant orchid, showy red orchid, wispy red orchid, orange kimballiant orchid and faux orchid.

Other botanical images include: Asiatic dayflower, blue grass, blue grassflower, blue bells, lavender thistle, red grassflower, red fuchsia, red chrysanthemum, yellow chrysanthemum, yellow loosestrife, wild columbine, tiger lily, trillium, blue or purple grapes, & soapwort.

My critter paintings includes various cats, rabbits, fish, and insects.  Insects may also be incorporated in floral pieces.

Auspicious Circle Paintings Shown left is a combination sumi-e and nature print, on a circular sheet of my hand made manila hemp paper, showing the natural deckled edges.  The circle is an auspicious shape in feng shui and is highly recommended to stimulate positive chi. Paintings like these are available in 16x16" frames at an attractive price.

Simple Single Sheet Paintings

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Simple single sheet paintings, like those shown directly above, are done on small sheets as miniature pieces with similar designs available on larger sheets.  The miniature sheets measure approximately 4½" x 6½" and can be over matted to fit 6x8" frames or matted showing the natural deckled edges to fit 8x10" or larger frames.  Larger single sheet pieces go up to 16x22" and 14x34" sheet sizes.  The single sheet pieces with embedded reed segments (stick papers) are done in larger sheet sizes up to 16x22".  Stick papers would always be framed with the natural deckled edges showing against a contrasting background.  The same is true of most multi sheet pieces.  My largest two sheet sizes (16x22" and 14x34") fit frames of approximately 22x28" and 16x36" respectively; depending on the type of framing/matting desired.

 Any of these subjects are available as paintings on single sheets or as multi-sheet pieces with assorted papers. Multi-sheet paintings vary in number of different papers used and in paper arrangement.  Feel free to discuss your preferences with the artist and receive a price quote with no obligation to purchase (e-mail).
Remember that the sumi-e style is brief, suggestive, just enough to represent the subject, and maybe a bit more to suggest the mood of the subject. So, while each flower should be recognizable, they will not be highly realistic.

For information on symbolism in my artworks, to help you select a perfect painting to hang
in your home or office or to give as a gift, go to my page on the meanings of images in my art.

©2003-07 Ray Bliss Rich, artist

Please note that there may be color distortions in these thumbnail images.

Feel free to e-mail with any questions concerning papers available, paper collage combinations, 
nature printed elements available, matting and framing options, etc.

PRICES

I am always happy to discuss your interests, and provide a quote, with no obligation to purchase.
Because difficulty of painting and paper making increases geometrically in the larger sizes I price accordingly.
Feel free to inquire by e-mail.

HOW TO ORDER

Feel free to e-mail any questions you may have... then, once we have worked out what you want,
you can simply mail me your check, money order, or visa / master card information with your
request... OR print out and fill in the order form found here and mail it with your payment...

Feel free to e-mail any questions you may have; without obligation...

Ray Bliss Rich, artist
Meditations on Paper
P.O. Box 1167 - Hillsboro, NH 03244

For other information you may go to:
About Sumi-e - my Hand Made Paper - my Paper Jewelry

A few galleries that carry my work.

Shows & Festivals where you can meet me and see my work.

Galleries wishing to represent my work can inquire via e-mail.

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