The Grass Orchid Path: New Class Series in 2022
The Path of the Four Gentlemen
The Grass Orchid Path
2022 Feb/March Sumi-e on Sunday: The Grass Orchid Path
Time: Sundays 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dates: Feb 20, 27, March 6, 13,
2022 Feb/ March Sumi-e on Tuesday: The Grass Orchid Path
Time: Tuesday 3:00 PM CT- 5:00 PM CT
Dates: Feb 22, March 1, 8, 15,
The emphasis is on the process! The Class will review the foundations of Sumi-e.
- Introduction to an appreciation of Chinese/Japanese calligraphy and painting
- “Four Treasures” (The ink stick, the ink stone, brush and paper) , the equipment and supplies
- Basic exercise on painting Grass Orchid leaves, petals, rocks and the basic composition of a Grass Orchid painting
-
- Each class begins with a Zen lesson followed by breath and hand exercises.
- Demonstration of the “Vocabulary of strokes followed by step-by-step guided instruction on how to paint “The Four Gentlemen: The Grass Orchid Path”
- Int & Adv. will focus on Leaves, Petals, Rocks and composing paintings using Paper from The Advanced Paper Roll. Advanced Students will be provided individualized guidance, work at their own pace discovering “idea” paintings and advanced techniques. All levels are welcome, plan to let go and have fun while learning a few new stroke techniques.
教土格: Passed Genshin-kai Shodo Exam
Genshin-kai: The Japanese Calligraphy Association in Japan, 教土格 (Teacher) 2021 under the teachings of master calligrapher Hekiun Oda.
New Sumi-e Classes
Upcoming in 2020:

Sumi-e Painting (Beginning and Advanced) at the Japanese Culture Center
1016 West Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 606575 classes of Sumi-e (each 2 hours long).
Advance at your own pace—you do not need to know how to paint with ink, all levels are welcome, and course materials will be provided. (Limit 8 Students)
Time: Sundays 10:30-12:30;
Dates: 1/5; 1/19; 2/2; 2/16; 3/1

Autumn Fragrance Sumi-e Scroll by Patricia Larkin Green
Sumi-e Brush Painting Workshop: Flowers at the Morton Arboretum
Saturday, June 6th, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center
Sumi-e Brush Painting Workshop: Flowers (Morton Arboretum)
Morton Arboretum
Saturday, June 16, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center
Learn to simplify a specimen into a few well placed strokes with the minimalist approach of brush painting. We will view examples of this minimalist art form and then try your hand at a simple brush painting using photographs of flowers as inspiration.
Instructor: Patricia Larkin Green, sumi-e artist
Notes: No art experience necessary. Limit 15
Supplies: Please bring a set of 3 basic sumi-e brushes.
Option 1: $14.95 3 traditional brushes from Blue Heron Arts (Good quality brushes-great value)
Option 2: For those who would like a complete sumi-e kit, you can purchase the Oriental Art Supply Sumi-e Kit for $46.75. This includes the brushes along with other materials needed to continue the practice on your own.
Sumi-e (Ink Painting) Class at Japanese Cultural Center 日本文化会館
Sumi-e Painting (Beginning and Advanced)
Sunday June 17th 10:00 – 12:00.: 5 weeks for $150.00 Drop in is $35.00
Limit 8 students
Japanese ink painting, (sumi-e) is the art of painting using brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin absorbent “rice-paper” (washi).Advance at your own pace—you do not need to know how to paint with ink, all levels are welcome, and course materials will be provided.The emphasis is on the process! The Class will be introduced to the “Four Treasures” (The ink stick, the ink stone, brush and paper) and each class will begin with a demonstration then guided instruction on how to paint “The Four Gentlemen” (The lessons introduce the student to the four basic strokes groups). Advanced Students will work at their own pace discovering “idea” paintings.Course materials will be provided and there is a 5 student minimum, so please preregister at: info@japaneseculturecenter.com or by calling the office directly (773) 525-3141.
Live Big Brush Ink Painting
Live Big Brush Ink Painting with Patricia Larkin Green

2017 Patricia Larkin Green making Sumi -E painting at Morton Arboretum video by Jyoti Srivastava
Sumi-e Class Lillstreet
2017.9.14: Sumi-e Painting at Lillstreet, Thursday, Sept 14th-Oct 1st, 2017 2-5 pm Experience the meditative practice of traditional Japanese ink painting, sumi-e, the art of painting using a brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin, absorbent “rice-paper” (washi). Fundamental brushstrokes will be reviewed and insights into the “way of the brush” will be discussed, while you experiment with your original work.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773)769-4226
Mono no aware (物の哀れ)

Mono no aware (物の哀れ) 20″ x 16″oil Painting by Patricia Larkin Green
literally “the pathos of things”, and also translated as “an empathy toward things”, or “a sensitivity to ephemera”, is a Japanese term for the awareness of impermanence (無常, … of the transience of all things heightens appreciation of their beauty, and evokes a gentle sadness at their passing.
literally “the pathos of things”, and also translated as “an empathy toward things”, or “a sensitivity to ephemera”, is a Japanese term for the awareness of impermanence (無常, … of the transience of all things heightens appreciation of their beauty, and evokes a gentle sadness at their passing.
In memory of Marie Patricia Lee Larkin
i love you mom
Painting the Essence of Flowers
2017.4.13: Painting the Essence of Flowers/Sumi-e Painting Demonstration and Workshop at The Japanese Cultural Center, Thursday, April 13th, 2017 6-7:30 pm. During this event, participants will witness Larkin Green sensei’s live performance of her work and learn about the Four Treasures of Asian Ink Painting. Participants will also get a chance to paint spring flowers and Roosters (2017 is the Japanese Year of the Fire Rooster).
Location: Japanese Culture Center – 日本文化会館
1016 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
“Zen Painting with Ink” Interview with Larkin Green
Sumi-e with Patricia Larkin Green (click link for full interview)
Patricia Larkin Green is a fine artist and skilled sumi-e ink painter. We were curious about this 2000 year-old art form, and she was more than happy to talk about it with us. We learned how its philosophy, “Less is more,” informs her life today. She describes sumi-e as, “zen painting with ink” — a technique where art meets meditation. Read on for more details about this ancient practice of monks and Samurais. Creative Brunch: Sumi-e Workshop (1-Day)
Sunday, April 9 11am – 4pm
Lillstreet Loft
Sumi-e Class (5-Weeks)
Thursdays, beginning May 4 2 – 5pm
Lillstreet Art Center