Debra Meyer, book artist.

When asked what made her choose this type of art as a form of expression, Debra Meyer said that she casually took a class five years ago at Santa Fe Community College and the experience stoked her interest in book art. Meyer also has taken sumi-e with Karen Fitzsimmons.

When combined with acute powers of observation that make the most of all that she sees (and sometimes photographs) in nature, the result is truly beautiful book art and stationery.

Our daughter asked, "what are your favorite colors to use?" and the artist replied, "Purple, new green, turquoise, and earth colors."

Karen Fitzsimmons, sumi-e artist and teacher.

This painter and teacher of sumi-e lives in a most peaceful setting and her home is an excellent example of east meets southwest. "I first went to Japan in 1972 and soon began my study of Sumi-i...over the years, I have returned to Japan many times to continue my studies. We work on traditional paper made from various plant fibers and use ink sticks made of burnt pine or oil soot with the addition of a glue. The ink is ground on a stone with water.... The brushes are also different from our western ones in the way they are put together to achieve different possibilities."