Elan Vital: A Chapbook of Oriental Poetry and Sumi-e Painting

By: Mary E. Rodning and Charles B. Rodning

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Synopsis: With the creation of the Oriental poetry and sumi-e paintings within this volume, the artist and author have attempted to convey their interpretation of the variety, beauty, and novelty of nature and human endeavor. The artist and author would argue that the puissance of their work lies not only in what is explicitly conveyed, but what is implicit as a consequence of interpretation and extrapolation by the viewer. The latter must be receptive and interactive to achieve enlightenment and self-actualization. It would be our hope that through this work, the viewer also would become one with nature, as exemplified by the Japanese term kensho ("contemplation," or to "turn a Zen light on things"), as part of the process of their personal development toward complete insight and enlightenment. We wish for the viewer enrichment and ennoblement. The conveyance of this wish and the creation of this chapbook are our karma.