Story
Suminagashi at the Art Studio
We first shared a little about the art of Suminagashi in The Tone Issue of Blackberry Magazine when Executive Chef Joey Edwards began practicing the technique, exploring creativity beyond the kitchen. Now, guests of Blackberry Mountain can join him with a new offering in the Art Studio.
Suminagashi, affectionately known as “floating ink,” is the ancient art of Japanese marbling, dating back as early as the 12th century. To create the effect, the artist drops ink into water. As ink is added, it creates a sort of ripple effect on the surface, and the artist can manipulate the ink into delicate swirls or smoke-like waves. When a piece of paper is dipped into the water, it grabs the ink and transfers the color and the design from the water to the paper, producing the signature marbled style.
“Like most folks, I really love when beautiful patterns and designs occur naturally in nature. I think Suminagashi struck me because even though the art is influenced by the artist, it’s not fully controlled by the artist,” Joey said. “There is an element of playing along with the surface tension and flow of the water. The design is alive and changing until it is transferred to the paper. Creating these designs is such a great way for me to clear my head, and I love making something that mimics nature in a kind of black and white, punk rock way.”
While the materials have naturally evolved with time, the artform maintains a strong tie to its storied history.
The Art Studio team is embracing the natural flow of Suminagashi with a two-hour Meditative Marbling workshop. Designed to align with the tranquility of the practice, the guided experience uses traditional sumi ink and delicate washi paper. Guests learn how to work in harmony with the movement of the water and intentional brushwork, a creative invitation to embrace the beauty of the present moment and create a series of unique prints.
Finding a meditative state in creative work is a great way to quiet your thoughts and connect to the environment around you. Having an action to focus on, like working with the water and dipping the paper, can help you truly be present.
