Ran Andrews has been studying the classical forms of Zen art in order to attempt to develop his own distinct style in this ancient medium of expression. He figures that he may get a handle on it within the next eighty or ninety years. The work shown on the right is part of an upcoming exhibition to be called UNDER A BLOOD MOON which will show several of Ran's works on paper depicting the recent Lunar eclipse, which was known by its astronomical characteristics as a 'Blood Moon'.

The impression from Ran's carved jade chop or seal are fashioned from a ground paste of the mineral cinnabar. Ran uses traditional hand-made brushes, ink and hand-made paper to produce truly unconventional works that are becoming ever more popular in the esoteric realm of contemporary Sumi-e collector.

The Paper Ran uses is Red Star brand -- The best. The mill for the Red Star Xuan paper is the original that has been making paper continuously for over a thousand years. It's a protected brand by the Chinese government. It's paper is much thicker and whiter even compared to the next best brand. Red Star distinguises themselves from others by continuing to use expensive Genuine Quintan (also called: Than trees -- Pteroceltis Tatarinowii Maxim) tree bark fiber with high proportion. Many makers nowadays cut down costs by cutting down the use of Quintan material which is much more expensive than regular grass fibers.