Maureen Murphy Herward

Chinese “Sumi” Watercolors

mhejoy@aol.com

A study of the work in progress in order to create the bathroom art

For about two years, the artist, the stone craftsmen and I developed the processes, refined the materials and essentially invented a new way of creating Sumi art. The preparation of the stone took skill and sensitivity to avoid destroying the sandstone as layers were chiseled off. In the end, five pieces of uneven, rough, sandstone were transformed into five smooth pieces that were jig sawed together. That was the palette that Maureen Herward painted on. The ink that she used was tested in the sun so that we knew it would not deteriorate. The stone was sealed so that it would remain waterproof. However, the sealant did not compromise the art. The images you will see are of this work and some of the steps that led to the creation of Sumi on stone.

Maureen seated in front of her unique art on sandstone created for Judy's exotic bathroom.

Photo by Gregory Thon.

Maureen Herward blends western and eastern art styles to create original Chinese watercolor paintings. She employs ancient techniques to grind her own ink with water and uses Chinese paints, brushes and rice paper to make every creation authentic and original. Her work is based on the methods of Wu Ch'ang-shih (1844-1927) known for his distinctive heavy liquid ink style that was bold yet sensitive because of its subtle, beautiful color. Wu is regarded as a forerunner of twentieth century Chinese painters.

Another Look at the Maureen's Sumi artwork.

Photo by Gregory Thon.

She paints the four traditional Chinese gentlemen: orchid, bamboo, plum blossom and chrysanthemum as well as landscape, animal, bird and floral pictures in both the traditional sumi style of ink and brush and in her own unique way. She creates original colors for each of her one-of-a-kind paintings and sometimes includes poetry on her work. Maureen has extended the reach of sumi art onto natural stone and recently completed a 6 foot by 6 foot sumi painting on Arizona flagstone, the first application of its kind.

Dedicated to paint pictures of peace, harmony, energy and vision through the spirit and flow of chi from within, she signs her work with her signature chop of either "Joy" or “Maureen Joy” in Chinese. A member of the Puget Sound Sumi Artists Association, she continues her studies with the master artists throughout China and with Yu-Ming Zhu, a native of China and former president of the Overseas Artists Association. A prolific artist, her paintings hang today in Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Denver, Florida and France.

Maureen uses her gift to raise funds for education around the world, including the less fortunate in Papau New Guinea. Her work has raised funds for auctions by the Wing Luke Asian Museum, Executive Development Institute (EDI), Eastside Catholic High School, the Humane Society and Columbia Tower's Childrens Fund among others. The daughter of a musician, she loves poetry, music and writing. She earned both a bachelor of arts degree (magna cum laude) and a master of arts degree in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh and delights in combining her art and writing to spread the joy within her heart.

Some of her paintings include:

Symphony of Spring (peonies) Peace (lilac and peach flowers) Hold in Your Heart the Hope of Spring (hydrangeas) First of Spring, Hundreds of Flowers Sending the Fragrance Floating into the Air (lily) First Plum Blossom of the Spring Love and Harmony Early Spring, Baby Birds (bamboo and birds) Light of Life (rays of light) Plum Blossom in Breeze Serenity (chrysanthemum) Simple Spring Orchid

Art Samples