asian inspiration

Took a large group of students to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco last week. We saw Beyond Golden Clouds a special exhibit of Japanese screens that was exquisite and simply inspirational.

One of my favorites was a dual set of screens by Tosa Mitsuoki: Autumn Maples with Poem Slips (above) was displayed on the left, and on the right, Flowering Cherry with Poem Slips (below).

See them together to get the full effect here on the Art Institute of Chicago site. (Click on View Enlargement ~ it's worth it!)

There were so many incredible paintings and the docent told us some of the wonderful stories behind them. I came away with many new ideas for my Sketchbook Project.

After our tour, we also visited the Japanese wing on the second floor. I was allowed to use my camera there, since the items are part of the permanent collection. These are some of the things I really liked:

 Ceramic flower

 Two six-panel screens

(even though they're not as amazing
as the ones in the special exhibit).

Still, I like the idea of "reading" their story from left to right.

 Classic Lion / Dog statues ~ always fun.

If I'd had time to enter the Asian Heritage Festival poster contest,

I might have proposed one of these guys. Maybe next year...

The flames are awesome.

There are actually two birds in them.

 Head of a Haniwa figure

Love these guys! My dad had these types of primitive statues (Haniwa) on our mantel when I was growing up. It was like seeing old friends to find them in the museum. And look at this huge one with the wonderfully large pantaloons!

We went through the Korean wing on the way out and there were these enormous and gorgeous embroidered textiles hanging there. The photo doesn't even do it justice. I think they're giant chrysanthemums. You'll have to take my word for it that they're much more ethereal in person.

Final favorite are these cute wire hats. How charming it would be to live in a place where people went around wearing these all the time.

  

Outside the museum, there's a lot to take in. The security guard suggested I make this photo of the museum banner with City Hall in the background.

And I love the building around the corner with its grand proclamation. Since I had students with me, I didn't get to walk over there and see if there really was truth to be found.

Right now, there's also a colossal statue Three Heads Six Arms on display in the Civic Center Plaza. The photos I took of it all have students in them, so I refer you instead to artist Zhang Huan's site in the link above for multiple views of its massive glory. It really does have three heads and six arms.

sketchbook project progress ~ {part 4}

My sketchbook is starting to have its own personality, which is exciting, but also belated since it's due in less than two weeks. I've so many ideas for the direction it's taking me ~ just need more time to spend in its company! Here are some snapshots of the pages I've finished (wish I could show you their true, bright colors):

And one page-spread that is still in progress... I must still deepen the water, add a school of fish, more sea creatures, and lights sparkling on the water.

Every other double-page spread will follow a story that has inked lines and color. In between those there is pencil work with notes and sketches of the day or thoughts about the overall progress of the book. The reason for this layout is because the ink shows through the back of the page, so I can't really keep inking in sequence. It annoyed me at first, but now I think it's more interesting.

I need to keep pushing along... some of my Sketchbook Project friends have already submitted their books, like @juriko in Japan. @jessicagowling is also very close to being done. I'm motivated ~ I know I can do it!

happy new year!

A new year feels like fresh starts and new beginnings. I've been cleaning out my closets and making plans for good things to come. My wish for me and you is to have a creative and wonderful 2011!

As it happens, my pet rabbit turns one today, on 1-1-11, and it's going to be the Year of the Rabbit. I don't know what it means exactly, but it seems auspicious and I'm pretty sure it's a sign of many beautiful things in the new year.

あけましておめでとう！ Felice Anno Nuovo! Happy New Year!

handmade with love

Not having any cousins around, but having lots of grandparents, aunties and uncles in the area, my boys get a bit spoiled with presents this time of year. They don't earn enough allowance to buy gifts for all the adults they receive from, but I think it's important for them to give and not just receive.

Our solution is to figure out a project each year that they can pour their creativity into and make gifts with their own two hands. In the past we've made jewelry or large paintings. This year, everyone got a five-piece note card and envelope set with a mix of art on the front. They were fairly easy to make and turned out pretty cute. Here's a little sample of some of the art and how we made it:

1}

For this one, you need some brown watercolor paint, various sheets of colored paper, glue, a bird punch and a cat punch. Punch bird shapes out of the colored paper and glue them on to your painted tree. Then punch a little cat at the bottom gazing longingly at the flock. The punch-outs were only $1 each at Michael's - can't beat that.

2}

This worked best with my little one's tiny fingers. He dipped directly into the paint and blobbed on a rainbow of colors with a cheerful result. Entirely his idea; no two are alike!

3}

Straight watercolor here; no special technique.

4}

For this one, we used a doily as a stencil, carefully painting one color in the holes and another color out from the edge. Pretty and easy, too! Someone with nice penmanship can make it into a "thank you" note if desired.

 5}

Paper, glue and ink: taking advantage of my son's passion for drawing chibi manga figures. He drew a bunch of different characters, then we cut around each one and glued it onto the card over a paper oval (cut out from a stencil for evenness). I helped him outline the shadow and he colored it in with black ink. Totally cute!

We tied each set in a bundle with a little ribbon and they made the perfect gift for aunties, grandmas and big sisters ~ although most said they intended to keep them for themselves and never actually use them. :)

As for me... besides the portrait that I shared with you earlier, I was also able to help someone give a special gift to his parents. They needed a new mailbox, but instead of just giving one straight out of the box, this one was sanded, primed, and then handed to me to paint something personal on it. The numbers were obvious, but since the mom and dad are of Irish and Italian descent, the son asked for these flags to be painted as well. After that, it got a spray of clear-coat for protection.

He must be a really good son and know what his parents like, because I'm told that his mom nearly cried when she saw it. She must be very fond of her country and her mail. :)

Or, maybe it's just proof that everyone appreciates a personal touch.

Merry Christmas!

sketchbook project progress ~ {part 3}

I've been a bit shy about my sketchbook, mostly because of my very slow progress, but thought it was time to share a couple pages again. Not all of them are finished, but that's how my sketchbook really is. Quite unfinished!

First, a "musings" page where I've sketched my worries and doubts... I keep coming back to this one as they occur.

The beginning of a story...

and some outlines of its continuation.

I have so many ideas in my head but so little time to sit down and work on them. Trying not to be nervous although there is much to accomplish before the January deadline!

I will definitely have to buckle down once all this holiday get-together, big-dinner, gift-giving fun time has passed. Happy arty holidays to all!

portrait

Painted this watercolor for a gift this season. (I don't think he reads this blog!) Patterned it to hang together with this sketch I did back in July ~

because someone really loved it and we decided it looked a little like her. The intended portrait is a bit more detailed, so they're not exactly the same style, but I think they'll look cute hanging together in matching frames. Apparently there is a blank bedroom wall where they're destined to go.

I'm glad to have at least one of my holiday gifts under control! :)

my california autumn

Inside, we've been admiring our decorated tree. But outside, the trees and plants are decorating themselves. Perhaps their ornaments are even more lovely.

The mini oranges are so tasty right now ~ tart but sweet.

This is the only blossom so I saved it, even though the rest of the bush got a good trim with the clippers.

Soon to come: a new flower. The bulbs popped up right after I planted them, but I can't recall what kind they are. It will be a surprise when the blossom is revealed.

Good ole rosemary always seems to have a bloom somewhere. The bees love it for that.

My most charming backyard jewel! She totally posed for this picture when I brought the camera out.

The lavender is drying from flower to seed. It smells so good. I like to harvest it and sew into little sachets for the laundry.

The geranium got a little too cold one night and all the leaves turned red. Still, it's doing its best to make some new flowers.

The ornamental pomegranates really look like ornaments, especially this time of year.

The peach tree's leaves are falling, falling into the water below. Before too long it will be bare and I won't have to keep skimming the pond twice a day.

The fish hide under the waterfall when I pass the net to catch up leaves.

That was a backyard tour. In the front, we've got the Christmas cactus right on schedule.

A little color in the flower bed.

Very happy mums!

Paper whites aplenty.

What do you see in the clouds?

feels like the...

h o l i d a y s !

I love the scent of a Christmas tree in the house; it brings back all the happy feelings of anticipation and childhood excitement for the holidays. My boys helped me decorate the tree. Every ornament has a story, which is part of the fun when we bring them out each year.

I also decided to try out a snowflake doily craft from the happy home blog. Her photos are cuter but I'm pleased with how they dress up my plain chimney. Next I may try to make a button wreath, or perhaps one from the pages of a book.

Hope all my U.S. friends had a happy Thanksgiving and I wish everyone the happiest of holidays, whichever ones you may celebrate! :)

sketchbook project progress ~ {part 2}

I've got a title page, now ~ an imaginary road sign on an imaginary road in the Santa Cruz mountains.  I would like to neaten up the lettering with some white ink but will have to go buy some first.  Since I used watercolor on this spread, the paper is now kind of wrinkly and I'll be challenged by a dark spot or two on the next page where the color went through. 

I haven't been working on my Sketchbook Project nearly enough.  So many pages to fill and so little time!  Must resolve to do much more this month.

I'm very happy that my new twitter friend, Juriko, has also signed up for the Sketchbook Project after reading about it here on this blog.  When the tour comes to town, I'm definitely going to check hers out.  I've just been working so sporadically that I hope my sketchbook will be there to join hers.  I had better run off and get to work!