Preface

  Sumi-e (Japanese painting with Indian ink) is monochromatic or close to it painting of water diluted colours on rice paper or silk. Almost 2000 years ago, this style of painting emerged in China, and came to Japan in the 13th-14th centuries.

I detected it and became fond of it many years ago when I chanced to have in my hands the Japanese porcelain fragments from the Kuril Islands. These fragments contained magnificent sumi-e paintings. Later I got to know that they were painted by applying special sumi-e painting means:

brush ( jap. fude), an ink stick (jap. sumi), hand - made paper (jap. washi), a stone for ink rubbing (jap. suzuri).

These means of painting are respectfully called “Four Treasures”. Having received them from Japan 12 years ago, I could estimate not only their aesthetical value, but what is most important the extreme sensitiveness. In this ink I found all colours of the world, and in the extremely sensitive paper – the Great Emptiness. The surrounding Nature and my Heart are my main teachers. Through sumi-e painting principles I attempt to express my own – Lithuanian – soul.

…I am on the road of eternal search, and each day of that road is a wonderful and unexpected gift...

Let‘s stay together for a while... Let‘s listen attentively... Let‘s give freedom to our heart to penetrate into the secrets of existence...

   Painter Dalia Doksaite