Inspired by Nature is a Sumi painting workshop with Michael Hofmann on Saturday, July 7, at the Garberville Veteran’s Hall. The cost of the workshop is $40 to $80 (sliding scale) to benefit Daishu-in West, a Rinzai Zen Temple in Benbow.

Flowers, weeds and branches ... we’ll arrange them and then we’ll paint them. The focus will be on expressive brushwork and composition. Experience in painting is not necessary to enjoy the workshop. Students will be encouraged to bring subject matter and sketchbooks while all painting materials are included.

Sumi, which means ink in Japanese, is an exciting medium to work in. The flexibility of the bamboo brush, the fluidity of the ink, and the sensitivity of the thin handmade paper enable a wonderful range of expression. One stroke can have a variety of both tone and texture. The “unpainted” portion of the paper allows the strokes to breathe and creates a sense of spaciousness.

Now in California, Michael Hofmann spent over 30 years as a painter based in Kyoto, where his studies were guided by the master Sumi-e painter and Zen priest _Jikihara Gyokusei. Michael has given workshops at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and had solo exhibitions of his work in galleries and museums throughout Japan. He has also illustrated numerous books and magazine articles. The workshop will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a bring-your-own-lunch break. Space is limited so an early reservation is recommended. For information and reservations call Lauris at 923-4991.