"The brushstroke becomes the sign of the human presence. Every hand is different." - Willem de Kooning

It's been awhile since I picked up my calligraphy brush. When I was learning Japanese calligraphy in Minami-kashiwa (Tokyo), my Japanese was not very good and my teacher's English was probably about the same level. But she was very demonstrative and passionate about how to use and care for a calligraphy brush. And I was a very eager student. She was particularly very adamant about how to lift a brush at the end of a stroke. Depending on the Chinese character, the way to lift was different. Sometimes she would compare the effect for certain characters to appear light and feathery, resembling pampas grass. For other characters, a sharp, flicking motion that creates a more dramatic effect.

In Japanese calligraphy, the practice of writing with a brush is highly focused and intentional. Practitioners must consider their posture, breath, and the placement of their hands and feet in order to create the perfect strokes. This awareness of the body helps to aid in concentration, allowing the calligrapher to create precise, elegant characters that demonstrate the fluidity and beauty of the brushstroke.

Through all those lessons, one important lesson that emerged is the value of breathing. It is important to remember to breathe when creating, to help maintain focus and control over the brushstroke. There were definitely many times during practice when I held my breath, and the tense energy showed in the strokes. When we hold our breath, we can become tense and lose our sense of flow and fluidity, which can affect the quality of our work.

"I'm very interested in the gesture, in the way that the brushstroke or mark can be an act of memory or intention." - Julie Mehretu

The brushstroke is a powerful tool that can convey emotion, energy, and movement. It is always unique to the individual and can reveal the artist's personal touch and style. It is an important human element in art, and how the physical act of painting can create a connection between the artist and the viewer.

By taking the time to focus on our breath and the physical act of creating with the brush, we can convey our emotions, memories, and intentions, creating depth and a rich and dynamic visual language.