Behold Art with Yoga, Brush & Ink

My 12 year old son has studied Japanese Ink Brush since he was 8 years old. We love how Richard is always innovating and adapts his teaching methods for each individual student along the way. He has been a great mentor to my son who has not only developed skills in painting and observation, but an ever more nuanced appreciation of art and beauty, and greater concentration and mindfulness. I am continually uplifted to see the quality of the work produced in class and the inspiring themes from the natural world that students engage with.

I highly recommend Richards’s yoga classes - his extensive experience and love of yoga ensures a thoughtful and holistic teaching style. His classes are welcoming, no matter what level you’re at. I always look forward to my weekly yoga class as a calming oasis in amongst the madness of juggling full time work and young children, rejuvenating me and keeping me grounded.

I have been attending Richard's yoga class for over 15 years. Richard's class is both a workout of body and mind. The class includes meditation, chanting and breathing techniques while performing the asanas. The physical benefits that I have achieved through Richard's classes and practicing at home includes improved posture, balance, flexibility and fitness. Other key benefit is the reduction in stress and improved well being. I feel my stress reduce within minutes of the class starting, I float home after class for the best night sleep. The breathing exercises were key in surviving the COVID lockdowns which I practiced everyday. I highly recommend Richard's yoga class.

I have been doing yoga with Richard for over 30 years. His classes have been, and continue to be, an essential anchor in my life.
Richard is a unique and inspiring yoga practitioner and person. He cares deeply for all his students and is inspirational in his dedication and commitment to yoga. His teaching style is co-creative and his knowledge, skill and wisdom is subtly and lightly transmitted. Richard works intuitively and spontaneously to transform us into happier, more balanced and grounded people. I always feel more connected and inspired after a class.
Richard seamlessly incorporates the various aspects of yoga practice, focusing instinctively on what the individual and the class requires. We continue to explore and integrate breathing practices, meditation, chanting, asanas and relaxation, but never in a prescriptive or didactic way. Each class is different — sometimes more meditative, other times more physically oriented, but always uplifting and restorative.

I loved attending Japanese Ink Brush Painting classes whilst at Mangala. Ink Brush painting was a wonderful learning experience that taught me a lot of patience, good posture, and creative expression. The addition of yoga and mediative skills to the class compliments the painting style and allowed me to feel very comfortable and present in the room. As a teacher Richard is extremely caring and considerate, allowing for a range of skills and working with each student both individually and as a group to encourage creativity, traditionalism, and building skill within sumi-e as an art form. Having also had my work exhibited at the Japanese Consulate General office in Melbourne through attending Behold Art was an honour. Richard and these classes changed the way I see light and dark, appreciate nature and the beauty in the world, and the complexity of painting and the consideration behind it.

My brother and I attended Richard's art classes whilst at the Mangala Dance School location, and both thoroughly enjoyed the years we spent there. The practice of ink painting was very calming, and required patience as we learned lifelong ink-painting skills. Along with this, the incorporation of yoga added to the ambience of the space. Richard's teaching was very informative and creative, with each lesson bringing a strong sense of mindfulness and purpose. The classes also taught us so much about Japanese culture and values. Would recommend to any parents for their children, who are looking for an educational, yet creative extracurricular, or even adults themselves.

I have been learning Sumi-e inkbrush painting from Richard for almost a decade and have enjoyed it very much. He is an incredible teacher and his lessons are perfect for people of any age. Richard has so much support and enthusiasm for every student’s journey with inkbrush and each class is relaxing, informative and very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend Richard’s classes!

I studied with Richard for 10 years in childhood. He nurtured a connection with paper, brush and ink that has profoundly influenced my art practice. Richard is sincere, eccentric, passionate and rigorous in his teaching, and wonderful with children without talking down to them. The atmosphere of the classes is very peaceful and meditative, which is a rare gift in the lives of most kids. This is art, cultural education and mindfulness meditation all rolled into one. I am not surprised by how many students continue the practice into adulthood. Between his own character and the very special discipline of ink/brush painting, Richard’s classes are unique, and I feel very lucky to have experienced them every week for a decade.

Richard is a wonderful painting teacher, very encouraging and supportive of each individuals creative journey. I started learning from him as a young child and I am still attending his classes over 30 years later and have learned so much along the way! He also teaches about the history and philosophy of Sumi-e ink brush painting - his classes are a relaxing and meditative experience for children or adults, beginners or professional artists - he will meet everyone where they are at.

I regularly attend Richard’s ‘Brush & Ink classes’ in Carlton. The sessions operate in a quiet, meditative manner with Richard often incorporating relaxation and focusing exercises as a part of the painting process.
Lessons are well-planned, drawing on his expertise as a painter, teacher and calligrapher of many years experience.
As a practising artist, I find I can always take away another skill or approach from each session, for my own practice.
I thoroughly recommend this painting class.

I took Richard's Ink Brush Painting Classes from 1987 for 8 years as a child. His classes provided such a great basis for my art practice. The early understanding of tone, composition and most importantly an understanding of representing beauty within nature has had an everlasting influence on my artwork. His teaching balanced the strong and mindful ancient discipline of Sumi e with personal expression.

I took the Japanese Ink Brush painting classes a few years ago and I really enjoyed my experience. Richard has an incredible knowledge of the art and creates a great environment to learn. I would absolutely recommend these classes to people of all ages!

My son attended painting classes with Richard from 7 years of age until 14 years of age and hopes to continue. Richard is a wonderful mentor and teacher, addressing each student's personal progress and fostering growth in painting, philosophy and the spirit of the child and their art. It is always amazing to see the contemplation and concentration of a group of young people who are otherwise boisterous and energetic outside class. His classes have enriched all the children and given them an appreciation of space and balance in art and in life, in quiet ways that will resonate throughout their lives.

The art work produced by the children taught by Richard is amazing. The studio is a calm and quiet space where he brings out the best in them. Richard is a creative teacher who provides each student with a rich and personalized opportunity to develop as an artist.

My daughter took Richard's ink brush class for 9 years, from prep to year 8, during which time I had many occasions to observe his class.
Richard was always very patient, gave clear directions and most importantly, was supportive of individual student's creative disposition.
Trained by a Japanese master, he himself has formidable technique and a deep understanding of the Japanese art of the ink brush painting, as testified by his beautiful art works. He has a loyal group of adult students as well.