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Local Artist Feature :: Genevieve Lynn - expressive Chinese brushwork
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"Yoga: Tree Pose (Vrksana)" by Genevieve Lynn,
In honor of the month of March, the start of spring (coupled with the unseasonably warm weather we are expected to have this weekend) and International Women's Day (March 8 - worldwide), I thought it would be appropriate to draw your attention to another fabulous female artist. Genevieve Lynn, who adds a touch of contemporary flair to the traditional styles of Chinese brush painting. Lynn has shown at Artomatic, holiday trunk shows at yoga studios and has been an artist at ARTSCAPE in Baltimore for four years now. After seeing Lynn's stunning yet tranquil pieces at Artomatic, a holiday show and visiting her studio, I decided to pick her brain and see what she has to say about her creative process:
I like to capture the spiritual quality found in nature, animals and objects, in an expressive and at times whimsical style, a human voice singing, or humming. My paintings are about appreciating life and the energy which flows through it.
In the beginning, I took classes at the Art League in Alexandria, Va. It was the first time I tried watercolor and I took to it instantly. I felt it was a natural extension of my personality and spirit. Later on, it was a privilege to attend master workshops with Chinese brush painters Diana Kan, Ning Yeh and Henry Wo Yue-Kee. I enjoy painting as a means to express my admiration for nature, its creatures and a variety of subjects. I started by learning the Four Gentlemen - bamboo, plum blossom, wild orchid and chrysanthemum. In 2005, I created a series depicting the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac which were shown in an exhibition at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. Since I grew up in Maryland, of course there is a blue crab painting! Future projects include landscapes of China and teapots, in all shapes and sizes. The universe is full of inspiration, so the list of subjects is endless.
Yoga is the union of the body and mind. I feel more free and relaxed after going through yoga poses, or asanas. As the flexible body bends, so does the mind. It's an inspiration and a calming influence. For instance, in the Child pose, with the head down, adult worries roll away; the curled-up position gives a sense of security and peace. My Chinese last name means "forest". In the Tree pose, I am reminded of the structure of living things, with roots, which when nourished, form a strong, dependable trunk, its branches sprouting outward and upward. It is a metaphor for living life. I recently taught 6th graders at an event called the "Big Draw" at North Chevy Chase Elementary School in Md. It's amazing how many different approaches to bamboo the students came up with. One homeroom teacher remarked she likes this annual event because it shows her the hidden talents of her class she didn't know about. Encouraging kids to express themselves through art is important. It's an outlet and a way to give them a foundation for their development as well-rounded people.
Most of the time I use a raw rice paper called double shuen. It is very absorbent and yet has a durable texture. I enjoy using an ink stone to personally make black ink. At the start of each painting session, I grind a black ink stick into the stone, using a circular motion. This not only results in a thick dark tone but helps me leave behind the everyday realities of the world and enter a creative place. It is meditative, soothing and centering. I have a couple of blue and white ceramic brush rests in the shapes of a cat and a fish, they just make me happy. My bamboo brush springs to life for crisp leaves and, when used on its side, gives solid bamboo trunks.
I would agree. I do rely on the realist tradition but infuse a lot of expressionism which adds more energy, or a modern flair, into my paintings.
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