Willow and Cherry 1909 - 1910

Kamisaka Sekka made this painting of willow and cherry, probably using ink and color on paper. The approach to the mark making here is all about suggestion, right? You see these simple brushstrokes creating complex forms, like those cascades of willow leaves. The layering of colors and the texture of the paper really give the painting a feeling of depth. You can almost feel the breeze rustling through the branches. Look at how the whiteness of the cherry blossoms really pops against that muted background. The way Sekka captures the essence of these trees reminds me a bit of some of the early abstract expressionists, like Agnes Martin, who were also trying to distill nature down to its most essential forms. Ultimately, what makes this painting so compelling is its ability to suggest so much with so little, leaving plenty of room for our own imaginations to wander.