What a fantastic sumi-e journey! The traditional machiya in Kyoto where we had our workshop sessions with Margot-sensei offered an atmosphere of calm and focus that no ordinary studio could match.
Visits to beautiful temples, gardens and historic streets as well as inspiring art exhibitions put us in the right mindset and sparked our creativity. Not to forget the delicious Japanese food, which made every meal an experience of its own.
I greatly appreciated the balance between a well-structured program and the flexibility to play things by ear. There was always a clear plan, yet enough room for spontaneous discoveries along the way.
Real highlights were the visits to Kobaien, the centuries-old sumi ink manufacturer in Nara, and Tanaka-san, a local brush maker. Watching these artisans at work, I gained a deep respect for the dedication and skill behind the tools we so often take for granted.
I now look at my ink sticks and brushes with completely different eyes. A very special treat was a workshop session with Kobayashi Tohun-sensei in Tokyo, a rare opportunity to learn directly from a great Japanese artist.
None of this would have been the same without Margot-sensei. She has clearly found her calling, both as a sumi-e artist and teacher. She explains techniques with clarity and patience, and she has a gift for meeting each participant at their own level and helping everyone grow from there.
Her passion for sumi-e is contagious and makes every session a joy. On top of that, she knows all the best places to shop for traditional Japanese crafts, so we found some wonderful treasures to take home.
Last but not least, I met fellow sumi-e enthusiasts and made connections that have lasted well beyond the trip.
I came home with new skills, a deeper understanding of the art form and wonderful memories, and the experience keeps resonating with me long after my return.
Susanne K.
