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Smile, breath, and go slowly.
— Thich Nhat Hanh –
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repetitive markmaking:
BREATH
MEDITATIONS
Breath Meditations is an ongoing, contemplative series that combines repetitive mark-making with breath-counting meditation. Each piece in this series is created while practicing Ganana¹, a meditation technique that focuses on numerically counting inhalations and exhalations. In Japanese Zen tradition, this practice is known as Susoku-Kan².
The creation process involves making deliberate marks on the paper with each breath cycle — these marks can be dots, lines, or other forms made using various tools such as brushes, pipettes, cotton swabs, or sticks.
Also the materials and conditions involved may vary. Thoth uses different combinations and mixtures of Sumi ink, mineral pigments, ox gall, and animal glue, applied to either wet, moist, or dry Washi paper.
This practice helps Thoth to achieve a calm, rhythmic, and repetitive state of mind during creation, where no breath, gesture, or condition is identical to the previous one. This approach reflects the Japanese aesthetic principle of Wabi-Sabi³, embracing the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and the natural flow of the creative process.
Side Note : An illustrative example of this technique can be seen in the creation of Breath Meditation N°22 (first example below). The process involves enriching Sumi ink with ox gall to enhance fluidity and animal glue to ensure pigment adherence. The ink is applied to moistened Washi paper while counting breaths, allowing the natural flow of ink and water to shape the final piece. The drying process is gradual, with the paper absorbing and dispersing the pigments over several hours, resulting in a unique artwork where the paper itself contributes to the creation.
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Selected artworks from this series:
Breath Meditation N°22
Breath Meditation N°27
To Be Continued
Breath Meditation N°20
Breath Meditation N°33
Breath Meditation N°25
Breath Meditation N°19
Breath Meditation N°17
Breath Meditation N°34
Out Of The Blue
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See available Breath Meditations:
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Glossary of related terms:
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Ganana : A Buddhist breath-counting technique that involves numerically counting inhalations and exhalations to focus mental attention on breathing. It is a core aspect of Anapanasati (mindful breathing meditation).
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Susoku-Kan (数息観) : A Japanese Zen practice meaning ‘number breath viewing’, which focuses on counting breaths as a form of meditation and mindfulness.
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Wabi-Sabi (侘寂) : A Japanese aesthetic concept that appreciates the beauty of imperfection, transience, and simplicity, finding value in the natural, aged, and weathered aspects of objects and experiences.
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