Pampas Grass in Moonlight 1909 - 1910

Kamisaka Sekka made this image of pampas grass in moonlight sometime between 1866 and 1942. It's mostly whites, grays, and browns. I love how the forms are reduced to their bare essentials. I can imagine Sekka meditating, focusing intently, before making each brushstroke. The dark lines establish the verticality of the stems. Look at the subtle, gestural brush marks creating the leaves, like delicate antennae sensing the night. The curve of the moon is simple, soft. The scene feels quiet and still, like a breath held in the cool night air. The blankness and subtlety reminds me of Agnes Martin's quiet abstractions, or maybe even some of the Pattern and Decoration artists, who found so much inspiration in Japanese design. This picture speaks to the timeless dialogue between artists, across cultures and generations. We’re all in this ongoing conversation. Painting offers us a way to slow down, be present, and open ourselves to the endless possibilities of seeing.