by Denise Durocher

The teacher instructed us to use our Chinese brush with a very light touch, as if we were a bird flying down to water and flying right back up again.

I made cattails.

Black ink on a white background, bleach on a dark background. One single stroke to make the stalk and furry bit, two more for the leaves. Whether I am adding light to the dark or dark to the light, both paintings need the two elements to “work”. Without the light or dark background I wouldn’t see the light or dark object. Similar to the Yin and Yang symbol.

In Focusing, I know that most times I start out by mainly sensing the dark, and with the help of my Focusing partner, feeling it, naming it, holding it and giving it a voice. And then, usually, light comes, bringing with it lightness. I see something more clearly and it leads to a lighter feeling inside. Something has changed … even if only a little bit. Thank you my all my dear Focusing partners.

(Denise Durocher, India ink, Bleach, on Watercolour papers)