MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Judith Brooks-Strickland teaches the creation of Sumi-e. Advertisement

Judith Brooks-Strickland's mission is to keep her mother's culture alive and share it with everyone. She also wants the public to learn or join in the fun of creating beauty.

While many may think that Asian art is just symbols on paper, each symbol represents the artist's view of a part of nature.

The art is not created for sale and, in some instances, is a husband's secret, which he may or may not share with his wife. Pieces of Brooks-Strickland's art may be seen at the Charleston Peak RV Park Clubhouse.

Strickland is half-Japanese but U.S. born.

"The concept of Asian art is mind before body," she said.

Most Japanese artists look for the poetry in nature yet use only two colors, white or black on white. While most art is created with ink and brush, some artists may use color sticks to go from ocean to land and will meditate while creating, which lends to relaxation.

Strickland has begun teaching and showing her art on Channel 41 KPVM's Kids Talk program and will be aired this month.

Strickland has not always been an artist. She trained as a dancer and performed with her mother in Buffalo, N.Y. She has master's and bachelor's degrees in English, served as dean of the Bride and Staton Business College, and was a communications teacher at San Rafael College and the Presidio in California.

She was also a legal secretary for a Las Vegas firm.

Strickland and her husband, George, came to Pahrump to retire in 2003. Since then she has focused on her art.

Japanese children are trained from early age to learn 26,000 characters before finishing school. The discipline in school keeps them focused and removes timidity about creating their art and writing.

Many of the symbols or characters in their language also reflect the beauty of their art.

Strickland began her journey upon meeting Kazuo Mihara, a family friend. As her adopted grandfather, he began his art in a World War II American internment camp.

Shortly before his death, he gave Strickland his oil paints, paintings and a wish that someone would learn the love of his life -- Japanese art.

She started painting.

She specializes in Sumi-e, which originated in China, where it was used by scholars, philosophers, Buddhist priests, and painters.

In the Orient, an artist means 'soul writer' and 'nature writer,' and the same brush is used for writing and painting on silk or rice paper.

The strokes for Sumi-e are the same as those used for calligraphy or writing. Using the Zen rules for Sumi-e, no copying or pictures are allowed; one must observe and feel the nature of what is observed. The art also includes provocation to make the viewer think and respond, which takes away the nonessentials and gives only truth.

Strickland said, "There are other forms of writing such as Haiku, Senryu, Bugaku, Noh, Geisha, Kabuki and Bunraku. If you would like to learn any of these arts or Sumi-e, I will accept groups of four or more to teach. Everyone has a special ethnic or cultural background and should share it with others."

These are only a few aspects of Strickland's art. The art is beautiful in its simplicity for creating a view of nature that is seen around the world. She thanks the Pahrump Valley Museum, Carol Wertsbaugh, Lynn McDonald (hostess), Jean Crim, Mary Carroll (Fiber Arts Committee), who wore authentic Japanese kimonos and made tea for the guests during the class.

Strickland may be reached through the Pahrump Arts Council at 775-751-6776.