Winter walk

I took a long walk into the winter woods this morning with my husband. Besides the season of light and love, for me - its the season of sumi-e. Those lovely black forms against a winter white sky, boughs glistening with their first snowfall - magnificent!
I am thrilled again by the beauty of God's creation and filled with the wonder of a child....

Take a walk on the wild side

For all my friends, family, and dear students.

"Take a walk on the wild side."

This is good for all of us to remember. Go visit your local parks and wild areas. Really experience them. Sit quietly and just breathe, in and out, slowly.

"I had the feeling that this was the first day, the first sunrise, the first time when the earth took a breath.
And I was all alone but I felt I was in the presence of everything around me and I was never alone..."
Shelton Johnson, Yosemite Park Ranger

Honor those places in the world around you and don't forget to honor the wild places within you - they can be your source of strength, peace and creativity.

As the short northern day merged into night...

I am honored....
This painting of mine recently won a prestigious award at the international juried exhibition 'Sumi-e for Today' in Toronto, Canada. It was juried by the internationally renowned sumi-e artist, William Ho. The international show is on exhibit at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto, from Oct 2 through Oct 29, 2009.

This is so exciting for me...

jewel of the aegean

"paying it forward"

my work is largely abstract and impressionistic
derived from hours, sometimes days
spent out of doors in contemplation and reverie.

I don’t always go to sketch
but to simply drink in all of my surroundings,
to be at one with the world around me.
I have always felt the power of the land, the beauty of the earth
and through my art yearn to pay forward
just a little of the wild peace and wonder that I find.

ANNOUNCING FALL SUMI-E PAINTING CLASSES

For more info, go to: http://www.karenssumi-eprints.com/upcoming-sumi-e-classes.php

I'm excited to announce Sumi-e Painting Classes are set!!
At the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Classes begin Sept 5!
To reserve your spot, or questions, contact Karen at karenkurkajensen@gmail.com

Enroll early to assure having your materials here for class.
2-hour Sessions on Saturdays in September through December
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA

The Spirit of Sumi-e: Introduction to East Asian Brush Painting
Painting classes with Karen Kurka Jensen at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Originating thousands of years ago, ink painting or sumi-e, as it is called, is one of the oldest art forms. Deceptively simple in appearance, sumi-e can be a refuge of inner-peace and self-enlightenment. Learn to find the essence of your subject, its spiritual quality and then how to put the whole world in a brush stroke.

First session starts Sept 5 for 6 weeks. Classes meet for 2 hours. Choose the class time that works for you.

First session : Sept 5 – Oct 17, with a break on Sept 26.
1A: Morning class 10:30-12:30
1B: Afternoon class 1:30-3:30

Second session : Oct 24 – Dec 5, with a break on Nov 28.
2A: Morning class 10:30-12:30
2B: Afternoon class 1:30-3:30

Signup now to secure your place, space is limited.
Tuition: $210/6 weeks.
50% family discount on second tuition if parent and child wish to participate together.
Call Karen at (319) 396-9735 or email karenkurkajensen@gmail.com
register now

Self Defense for Women: Pass it on

25% raped?

Please help me get the word out. A friend of ours, Jeff Schmatt, jeff@rubicon-photo.com, is teaching a valuable Self-Defense class for College-bound women. Jeff is a professional photographer http://www.rubicon-photo.com/ and a Tai-Chi and self-defense instructor with a heart of gold.

Help people help themselves. Pass the word on.

Hello
Please forward this announcment for a Self-Defense class for College bound women. Please print/forward this email to any young ladies that would benefit from learning some basic self-defense before heading off to college.

In brief the class is this Thursday the 30th at 7 pm until 9 pm, At Elliott’s Uptown Fitness Center –1st Street Building
Mount Vernon, IA. Cost is $25 each or $40 when signed up with a buddy. $30 at the door.
Group rates available. Reservations are recommended.

I attended a special self-defense class this winter and certified by http://www.justyellfire.com/
to teach their basic techniques. I also have over 25 years of martial arts experience and have been teaching martial arts for 20 years. I have been a Tai Chi instructor for the GWAEA College for Kid program of 17 years. This is my first official class under using the name “Circle Out Self-Defense.”

The statistics are not really pleasant for our young women—just one horrifying stat is 1 in 4 young ladies raped before graduating high school; this is one reason why Dallas Jesup creator of JustYellFire.com has developed these basic techniques to help young women empower themselves and reverse these statistics. Miss Jesup’s goal is to get this program as part of high school curriculum so girls will be presented this information four times in high school.

We teach our children fire drills, tornado drills, but what about personal safety drills?? Have you taught your child about how to protect themselves from attack? Have you talked to them what to do or not to do? This class will involve watching the JustYellFire.com DVD and a discussion and the second half will be hands on practicing of these essential defense tactics. We will discuss specific topics for college age women regarding dorm life, parties, and dating.

Thank you for helping spread the word about this event.
Jeff Schmatt
Email: jeff@rubicon-photo.com
Website: http://www.rubicon-photo.com/
319.895.8776