The Sumi-e encounter began with a lovely lunch at the Soho House, a chic private club in New York in the Meatpacking district hosted by Bernard Aidan. An animated discussion on our respective art forms ensued. In particular, we discussed how each of us share an artistic impulse to innovate while being in dialogue with and respecting the great traditions of our disciplines.

In the diffuse lighting of a December afternoon we were escorted to the Catherine Malandrino flagship boutique where a champagne toast was waiting. Catherine personally selected a stunning couture gown for me to wear for the performance. Under the glittering chandelier my painting, ENSO 2007, spun softly awaiting Catherine's remarks. I was deeply touched by her intuitive reflections - "Drue is reaching through her art a timeless moment - not yesterday, and even further than tomorrow." I will upload Catherine Malandrino's extensive quotes on http://www.inasinglestroke.com along with beautiful photographs of today's encounter.