THE ZEN OF WALNUT INK

Many thanks to Study Group Coordinator Janice Kagermeier who sent us this post:

What a great afternoon at our March 8 Study Group meeting, and what a perfect example of cooperation among Study Group members. Cran Campbell, Jack Campbell, Judy Dominic, Carol Freid and Anne Leader each contributed their individual expertise and enthusiasm about the making and use of walnut ink. For the afternoon, the Corryville Branch Library was transformed into a fair, with each of the presenters at a separate booth.

Anne Leader opened the session by explaining her process for making her own walnut ink, and later answered questions from virtually everyone in the group, now determined to begin collecting walnuts and making some of the beautiful ink. Each attendee went home with detailed instructions and a bottle of Anne's ink to continue experimenting.

Anne brought several vintages of her homemade ink

Although Judy Dominic couldn't be with us, she sent a great display about using walnut ink for dying fabric and paper. Everyone left with a number of paper and fabric samples, two of each, one done using the cold dyeing process and one using the hot.

Judy's walnut display

At Jack Campbell's booth, we had a chance to learn about two important elements of Japanese spiritual ritual: making shide—zigzag paper streamers—and using walnut ink to create ensō, Zen circles of enlightenment.

Ensō

Carol Freid set up a table with beautiful examples of implements that can be used in making marks with walnut ink, from simple kitchen twine to beautiful imported brushes and other tools. It was fun to have the opportunity to experiment with them and discover some of the unexpected results.

Carol's mark making display

 Be sure to check out a great collection of photos from the afternoon by Maxine Seelenbinder-Apke, Cecie Chewning, Janice Kagermeier and Peg Rhein, who compiled and annotated them:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paperpeg/sets/72157642269211993

Twenty happy participants each left with a handful of experiments on paper, a head full of new information a lovely little kit of small mark making tools and a beautiful brush rest thanks to Carol and Anne's generosity and skill as potters. Many thanks to Anne, Carol, Cran, Jack and Judy for all of their hard work making this one of the real highlights of the Study Group calendar in the last several years.

Brush rest