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What if you spent every day looking for One Beautiful Thing?

Dark Water

by 28 Comments

Garip Ay

Istanbul-based artist Garip Ay employs traditional Turkish ebru paper marbling techniques to create surprising artworks with amazing depth. Ay’s process involves him seamlessly transforming each work into the next with just a few flicks of the wrist.

Ebru involves floating oil paint on water, then transferring it onto thick paper which is submerged under the paint, then raised through it. Ay’s work also involves transference to paper, but he also plays with the art while it’s still in fluid form. But though the videos make the process seem almost meditative, apparently being in the driver’s seat can be a little anxious-making.

“When people watch ebru, they think it is relaxing and soothing, but it my personal experience, it is really stressful. While doing ebru, you have control problems because you’re doing something on water.”

– Garip Ay

You can learn more about Garip Ay’s amazing Ebru art on his blog and on YouTube and Instagram.

Author: Donna from MyOBT

I have committed to spending part of every day looking for at least one beautiful thing, and sharing what I find with you lovelies!

28 thoughts on “Dark Water”

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  1. Laura (PA Pict)
    August 6, 2021 at 8:59 am

    It is a completely fascinating and actually very spellbinding process to watch but I can very much see why artist finds it anxiety-inducing. While the artist makes it look easy controlling the paint on the surface of the water, it must be absolutely anything but easy.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Donna from MyOBT
      August 8, 2021 at 8:25 pm

      All I kept thinking while watching the videos was how often I drop things. My phone spends more time in sinks and floors than in my hand, my glasses fall off the top of my head about 1,000 times per week. This is DEFINITELY not the art form for me.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  2. bcparkison
    August 6, 2021 at 7:03 pm

    Fun to watch…make a mistake just swish and its gone.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. swallowridge2
    August 7, 2021 at 11:02 am

    What amazing work!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. acflory
    August 8, 2021 at 4:39 am

    Reblogged this on Meeka's Mind and commented:
    Ebru – painting on water. I have /never/ seen anything like this in my life. Prepare to be amazed.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. acflory
    August 8, 2021 at 4:40 am

    Just had to reblog this on Meeka’s Mind. Truly incredible. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. Anonymole
    August 8, 2021 at 10:18 am

    “Really stressful” — Oh, joy. I guess it’s not a casual pastime.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. davidprosser
    August 8, 2021 at 11:34 am

    Amazing work through what looks like a difficult medium. Hugs

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. Giovanni Lashes
    August 12, 2021 at 10:12 am

    I always need art, thanks for sharing. Innovation always exists. Thanks to the Internet we can record this moment, we don’t need to keep them like we protect oil paintings.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. D. Wallace Peach
    August 13, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    That was so cool to watch. I’ve seen this type of painting before and the results are beautiful, and since they can’t be controlled 100%, each painting is unique. It’s looks like tons of fun, doesn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. CarolCooks2
    August 16, 2021 at 2:33 am

    Absolutely fascinating… I was spellbound and probably had my mouth open…Just wow!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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