Do You ENSO?

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abstract, abstract expressionism, art, blush, brown, buddha, buddhism, buddhist, burgundy, circle, circles, classy, contemporary, enlightenment, enso, flow, flowing, gray, high contrast, high end, meditation, minimal, minimalism, minimalist, modern, painting, pink, prints, red wine, rose, sangria, sharon cummings, soft, sophisticated, spiral, spirals, spirit, spiritual, spiritual practice, wine, zen

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/enso-blush-abstract-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to creating circles.  When I was very young I would also count them.  I no longer do that, but I still paint, draw and create spirals and circles daily.  I have always felt that it cleared my mind.  Recently, someone exposed me to the concept of “enso” making.

In Zen Buddhism, an ensō (円相 , “circle”^?) is a circle that is hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.

The ensō symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe, and mu (the void). It is characterised by a minimalism born ofJapanese aesthetics.

Drawing ensō is a disciplined practice of Japanese ink painting—sumi-e(墨絵 “ink painting”^?). The tools and mechanics of drawing the ensō are the same as those used in traditional Japanese calligraphy: One uses a brush (筆 fudé^?) to apply ink to washi (a thin Japanese paper).

Usually a person draws the ensō in one fluid, expressive stroke.^[1] When drawn according to the sōsho (草書^?) style of Japanese calligraphy, the brushstroke is especially swift. Once the ensō is drawn, one does not change it. It evidences the character of its creator and the context of its creation in a brief, contiguous period of time. Drawing ensō is a spiritual practice that one might perform as often as once per day.^{[2] (from Wikipedia)}

I find it interesting that I have been practicing this creative meditation for nearly my entire life naturally.  And now I create them using a new medium (my computer).

Enjoy!