shi creek started out as a horizontal composition and is now a vertical. stage 1 was acrylic on canvas; stage 2 is acrylic & collaged paper.
shi in chinese means forces. in 8th century chinese calligraphy, different types of brushstrokes were seen as "forces" of a dynamic composition, each having a perfect form and "method", or fa of interacting with another stroke, "each character, with its elegant, carefully considered deployment of these forces, exemplifying a model of physical equilibrium and spiritual repose."
this quote is from maxwell k. hearn's how to read chinese paintings