Japanese Ink Painting & Nature Connection Session 1: Ink Painting Techniques
Join us for a nurturing and reflective workshop that connects you to nature through Japanese ink painting and mindful observation. Rooted in mindfulness and inspired by the 72 Japanese micro-seasons, which change every five days, this session aims to deepen our appreciation for nature's rhythms. We will begin with a guided walk through OmVed Garden, focusing on seasonal changes. This session aligns with the Japanese calendar's ‘Bōshu June 6–10’ (Grain Beards and Seeds, when praying mantises hatch). After a brief breathing exercise, we'll prepare for painting with a warm-up to engage both mind and body. The session will focus on traditional Japanese ink painting techniques using sumi ink, brushes, and paper. We’ll grind ink mindfully, though ready-made ink will be used for ease. Participants will then paint seasonal plants from the garden, with a special focus on the Gaia Soybean, connecting us to themes explored in the exhibition Into The Seeds of Time. The session will conclude with herbal tea, inviting quiet reflection in OmVed’s peaceful surroundings. Participants will take home their painted artworks, along with insights on the micro-seasons, the significance of beans, and sustainable food systems. A mindfulness booklet with exercises will also be provided. For those attending all four sessions in the series, there will be additional layers of exploration, allowing for a deeper engagement with ink techniques, materials, and the evolving landscape. Please dress comfortably, as ink may stain and the garden can be hot, chilly or muddy. Each session will have a maximum of 16 participants. Please note this course is for ages 18+ only please. Key skills you’ll gain from the session:
About the host: 
Vivienne Schadinsky is a Swiss-born environmental artist based in London. Her work explores nature’s transformations in response to climate change through Japanese ink paintings, printmaking, sculpture, and filmmaking. Inspired by the 72 Japanese micro-seasons, she captures subtle shifts in ecosystems, integrating scientific and philosophical research on climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable food systems. Her long-term projects invite reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the National Art Center in Tokyo, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, and OmVed Gardens with Into The Seeds Of Time. A passionate art educator, Vivienne develops sustainable art curricula and leads workshops that foster environmental consciousness and creativity. She integrates the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using art as a tool for sustainability and social responsibility. A self-taught sumi ink artist, she interprets traditional Japanese techniques with a personal approach. In 2023, the International Sumi Association in Tokyo invited her to join and exhibit at the National Art Center, where she has since received an award. Vivienne’s work is regularly exhibited, commissioned, and shared through teaching. www.vivienneschadinsky.com | @vivienneschadinsky About OmVed Gardens: OmVed Gardens is a garden, exhibition, events, and learning space in North London dedicated to exploring the connections between food, ecology and creativity for health and climate resilience. We are on a mission to inspire ecological awareness and action, and deepen our understanding of interconnectedness with the natural world. As a registered Community Interest Company, all our activities prioritise social and ecological objectives. Whether collaborating with chefs, creatives, gardeners, or schools, OmVed Gardens is a hub for education, connection, and action. We aim to inspire individuals and communities to reimagine their role in building a healthier, more resilient world. We work to increase biodiversity - of species, seeds, food systems, and participation, through regenerative gardening, seed saving, habitat creation, and ecological education. Our space serves as a living example of how urban areas can be transformed into thriving ecosystems that support both human and non-human communities. Sign up for our monthly newsletter for tips from the garden and kitchen and hear about our upcoming activities: | |
Subsidised Tickets: We have a few reserved tickets at a subsidised rate. If this workshop is not monetarily accessible, please write to us at events@omvedgardens.com to avail yourself of a subsidised ticket rate. Subject to availability. Refund Policy: Tickets are non-refundable, except in cases where a waiting list exists for the session. If the event is sold out, a refund may be considered if requested up to 10 days prior to the session date. Please write to us for any refund inquiries at events@omvedgardens.com. |
