Rafael Katz’ paints using traditonally crafted Chinese brushes constructed from bamboo, ox-horn, and hair from goats, dogs, and/or various rodents. His brushestrokes apply ink and color to raw handmade xuan paper. He’s been doing this for decades.

  • Minimal Painting

    Minimal Painting

    Creating an interesting painting with lots of space and few brushstrokes is an ideal that I am often striving for. This painting uses an ink wash formation and…

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    4 min read

  • Four Seasons Residency Cats

    Four Seasons Residency Cats

    Four Seasons Art Center, where I just finished my one month residency had a lot of street cats. They were a tight group of cats that hung around…

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    4 min read

  • A Large Diptych

    A Large Diptych

    My residency at Foshan allowed me to work larger than I usually do. One of the results is this diptych. I don’t think I’ve created a diptych before.…

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    4 min read

  • Washing Clothes

    Washing Clothes

    I’m finishing up a month-long painting residency at an art center and modern art museum in Foshan, a non-descript third tier city on the fringe of Guangzhou. My…

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    4 min read

  • Self Portrait With Sketchbook

    Self Portrait With Sketchbook

    Recently I have been doing a lot of self-portraits. In general, it is easier to draw old people with their wrinkles and slack skin. My style often leans…

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    4 min read

  • Subtleties of Chinese Technique

    Subtleties of Chinese Technique

    One of the things that I love about using chinese materials for painting, is how subtle color shifts, brushstrokes, and tones can carry so much meaning. Unfortunately, subtle…

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    4 min read