Henry Wo Workshop

I just finished four days of painting with Henry Wo and the end always comes too quickly. This is the fourth such workshop that I've taken with Henry, but it was the first time I've been to his studio in Fairfax County, VA. If you are not familiar with Henry's work a quick google search is worthwhile. Start with this brief bio http://www.piercegalleries.com/artists/iart_woyuekee.html

My first class with Henry in West Palm Beach literally changed my life. I expected to learn the basic Chinese brushwork and techniques needed to paint on rice paper, but instead I learned how to view the object of my painting, feel its essence, and find the "beautiful mark" that will represent its chi. Its not about visual realism or impressionism, nor is it about expressionism per se, but the latter is close. It is about the artist acting as a translator of the dragon fly's chi, or that of the fish, the bird or the bamboo. If done well, the "feeling" of it comes to life even if the shape or colors are not realistic. As Henry might say, it may not be good picture but is good art.

Loading the brush with multiple colors, making the mark in one continuous fast, slow, straight, twisting, or other simple or complex motion is the technique. But deciding what that mark should be is the challenge. Executing it with feeling is the art. To this day, Cheryl tells me (and anyone else who will listen) that my paintings changed dramatically after my first session with Henry. They became softer and more colorful. She says Henry put me in touch with the feminine side of nature. Bold is attractive and masculine but it only comes to life when complemented by its contrast with the feminine. The combination brings balance. The rough branch supports the delicate flower, etc.

Henry is a true master of his style of art. If you ever get a chance to paint with him, do it. I'll try to find some better links to his painting and he has several books of his work available for sale.