Sumi-e bamboo painting

Being back home always makes me feel somewhat like a renaissance woman. Except I think the term is "renaissance man." I don't know if or why it is only applicable to males. Maybe I can be one of the accomplished young ladies from Jane Austen's world (currently rereading S. and S.) except they're never serious athletes. Anyway. When I come home there's a lot to take advantage of... a fully stocked kitchen, assorted art supplies, various musical instruments, a wide selection of reading material. Most recently, Kirsten and I attempted Sumi-e, the art of Japanese brush painting. I made some bamboo. I also made a plum tree, but had a lot of trouble with the blossoms.