Art
ABOVE
Darlene Kaplan, Pheasants in
Wisteria, Oriental Brush Painting.
Chinese mineral colors on acid free
rice paper, 27″ x 29″
Kaplan’s paintings range from having
simplified brush strokes that depict
an orchid to more intricate yet
tranquil landscapes about which she
states, “Your eyes can take a journey
up into the mountains and off into
the mist before returning home.”
RP: Darlene, where can we see
your art work now?
DK: My Oriental Brush Paintings
are on view in Building 16 at the
Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton,
VA, and at my Soft Brush Studio
in Alexandria, VA.
RP: Can you tell us about your
Chinese Tea Tastings?
DK: I present Chinese Tea Tastings,
Gong Fu Style in my studio. This
ceremonial tea drinking style is
meant to focus one’s attention
and relax the mind and spirit in a
convivial, shared experience. Guests
are served up to 8-10 different
Premium or Estate Teas that include
Oolong, Pu-erh, Green, White,
Organic, and Blooming Tea, among
many others. These teas come from
around the world: Sir Lanka, Japan,
China, Tibet, India, Vietnam, Taiwan,
and other origins. Guests learn how
the tea is harvested, what makes tea
green or black, and the many health
benefits of tea. For example, Pu-erh
has been medically proven to lower
cholesterol. They also learn how to
steep each tea for maximum flavor.
RP: When is your next workshop?
DK: I am presenting an Oriental
Brush Painting Workshop August
11-16, 2014, using Chinese mineral
colors on acid free rice paper in the
Lingnan style. I will be teaching
stude nts the fundamental theories
underlying Chinese brush painting
to include proper use of brush,
proper use of ink and color, and the
techniques of using “Chi” creating
the perfect balance for a good
composition. I tell my students, “This
will teach you to notice nature.”
On Darlene Kaplan’s website,
you can watch a YouTube video
of her step-by-step painting
demonstration of Japanese Koi.
It was produced as part of her
appearance as a guest of Charles
Mills from the Virginia Time Travel,
TV channel 10 & 69.
Information about Darlene Kaplan’s
art, workshops, group ceremonial
tea tastings and more may be
found on her website: www.
darlenekaplan.com.
97
BELOW
Darlene Kaplan, Gentle Waterfall,
Oriental Brush Painting. Chinese
mineral colors on acid free rice paper,
24" x 14"