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I am an artist with a love of all things Japanese! It was obvious that my artwork would be in the Japanese style.
One of my loves are the woodblock prints from the Ukiyo-e period. Ukiyo-e (浮世絵) "pictures of the floating world", are types of Japanese woodblock prints paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries, featuring motifs of landscapes, the theatre and pleasure quarters. The pleasure quarters, were simply that, an areas of Japan where anyone with cash to spare to do just about anything desired.
Ukiyo, meaning "floating world", refers to the impetuous young culture that bloomed in the bustling urban centers of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto that were a world unto themselves. E means art. Ukiyo-e were affordable because they could be mass-produced. They were meant for mainly townsmen, who were generally not wealthy enough to afford an original painting. The original subject of Ukiyo-e was city life, in particular activities and scenes from the entertainment district.
Beautiful courtesans, sumo wrestlers and popular actors would be portrayed while engaged in appealing activities. Later on landscapes also became popular. Political subjects, and individuals above the lowest strata of society (courtesans, wrestlers and actors) were not sanctioned in these prints and very rarely appeared.
This subject fascinates me and as you can see from my paintings below became my biggest influence. My work is painted onto silk. I don’t use the normal gutta (outliners) instead I control the dye myself. Prints are available of the pictures shown below. Please email for details or visit the online shopping area. I exhibit twice every year, details of which I will post on the Latest News page and on the message board. Commissions are always welcomed.
My new works are done in the Chigiri-e method. This means 'torn paper', the same method I use on my vases. I hope to have the time to hold 2 or more exhibitions. I'll certainly keep you posted. The 1st picture is from my new collection.
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