Bamboo Take 2

Second attempt at painting bamboo. This time I have more experience and can control the brush much better, and it definitely shows. My first one is sort of misshapen and lumpy and lacks character (no pun intended), in my opinion. ickathu.deviantart.com/art/Bam…

Yes, I need to work on my calligraphy. That first kana is supposed to be "a", but it does look like "ma." I figured out what I was doing wrong though, learned the proper stroke order, and I can now write an "a" with the bottom line curving the proper direction. So you know, writing the character correctly is always a plus.

For those of you who know more about brush painting - am I actually "allowed" to be signing my name using katakana (Japanese script) even though I'm technically doing Chinese Brush Painting? I don't have a Chinese name (from what I understand, you can only get your Chinese name from someone who speaks/is Chinese because it's sort of based on your personality/character/etc., am I right?) or a personal seal, but I do have my Japanese name, and it is in use, so to speak (meaning it's embossed (?) on my Shotokan black belt, so a somewhat official usage of my name). What do you think? Is it cool to be doing this?

Todayyyy's blog post. Unfortunately I didn't think to name it with a quote from Star Wars (this is very distressing to me). themisfitlife.wordpress.com/20…