This market is near the Rialto Bridge and is by far the largest and busiest in Venice.  Strolling under canvas roofs, admiring colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, watching a vendor and an eager shopper talking (something about the produce, I think, but it could be about the weather)... it is a pleasant walk in the morning.  I used quick dry brushstrokes on the buildings and the street to suggest things covered with sunlight.

To view other paintings of market scenes in Venice, go to Market Day, Venice IV, Market Day, Venice III, Market Day, Venice II.


Market Day, Venice, Italy V

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.


Click here to see other paintings in my Venice Italy Collection.


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Valentine's Day is around the corner and "love" seems to be on everyone's mind at this time of the year.  At the risk of sounding rather corny, I must ask this question - what is love?  We can feel it but we don't quite grasp what it is.  We embrace and celebrate it but we also get angered or tormented by it.

It is such a mysterious emotion most of us know it is too difficult to answer the question, and would rather leave the job up to more capable individuals such as philosophers, poets and songwriters.  The funny thing is, we love to disagree or even criticise if we don't hear them say what we believe.  Does this mean we know what it is?  I'm getting confused... it is indeed mysterious.

"Any time not spent on love is wasted."

"Love is when you don't have to be with another person to touch their heart."

                 - Torquato Tasso, an Italian poet born in Sorrento


(Piazza Tasso, in this painting, is named after Torquato Tasso, Sorrento's native son.)


Sorrento, Italy IV

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.

Click to see and read about other Sorrento paintings: Sorrento III, Sorrento II, Sorrento I.

Click here to see paintings in my Italian Landscapes Collection.


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Which city has steep hills, narrow and winding alleys, compact buildings, and old-fashioned trams meandering through them... all in a neighborhood with a medieval feel?  Lisbon will top my list.

When I saw this view (as in this painting), I thought it had a little bit of everything that conjured up an image of the old Lisbon that I really like.  As I kept on walking up the street, I found more sights, literally at every turn, that got me excited.  I plan to continue painting scenes like this, from time to time, that tell us something about Lisbon's historical and cultural heritage.


Lisbon, Portugal III

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.

Click here to see more paintings in my Spanish/Portuguese Landscapes Collection


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Long time ago, during my first visit to Paris, I bought a baguette at a small corner bakery (boulangerie).  Carrying it in my hand, like the French do, I was tempted to have a bite right then.  Wow, I was surprised how delectable it was.  Rather, maybe I was surprised at myself for being surprised at something simple like the taste of bread.  Anyway, I thought croissants and pastries I had during the trip were all sensational, too.

Later, I learned not all bread is created equal, even in France, as I heard names like Poilâne and Le Boulanger de Monge mentioned often as the very best bakeries in Paris.  But to me, the taste of my first baguette from a bakery I don't even remember the name of will always remain special.

In this painting is a boulangerie in the Montmartre area (Sacré-Coeur Basilica seen in the background) where people lined up to buy their daily loaf.


Paris (#2) - Boulangerie

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.

Click here to see other Paris, France paintings.

Click here to see Paris Café paintings.


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When it's cold outside and you need some company, would you want to go where everybody knows your name?  That's probably why these men had gathered around a boiling tea kettle on a stove to shoot the breeze.  I don't know whether I was guessing it right, but the very thought motivated me to do this painting.

This is the inside of a rather modest tea house that I found when I went to Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan (click here to see another painting "Fushimi Inari Shrine I" that depicts the outside look of this house).  In this painting, I focused on a relaxed atmosphere among old friends that, I hope, would make you want to join in for a cup of tea.  Or, was that hot sake in their cups?  Cheers!


                       (detail)


Cold Day (Kyoto, Japan)

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Sold
             

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According to Truman Capote, "Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go."  Not really meaning to prove him right, I happened to have a box of chocolate liqueurs sitting in my studio when I was thinking what to paint.  Lo and behold, it sure put me in the mood for another piece of Venice canal.

I decided to use a photo I took (below) which shows an ordinary canal scene on a gray day.  To me, reference photos are for just that, for reference only.  How faithfully I paint to what's in it or how much further I deviate from it really depends on my muse.  Sometimes, I use my earlier work as a source of inspiration (Click here to see how I painted "Venezia VII" as an example).

I don't know if I had too many of those tiny Anthon Berg chocolate bottles filled with spirits or if it was a Venice thing, I did finish today's painting almost in one go.


  Reference photo for Venice Canal VI



Venice Canal VI

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Reserved
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Just when I got used to constant noise of cars and scooters on my first day in Rome, I thought I heard "waterfall."  What could it be?  Around the corner, there it was, not a waterfall, but a beautiful fountain spouting water up in the air, in the middle of a traffic circle, Piazza della Repubblica.

The semi-circular piazza is surrounded by buildings with porticos, and this cafe bar was under one of the porticos or arcades.  Not a bad place to take a coffee break especially on a very warm day.


Roma, Italia XXIV

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.


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If you can't get to a market, a market will come to you in Venice.  I spotted a flat-bottomed boat carrying several different kinds of fruits and vegetables in one of the canals in a quiet neighborhood.  For produce sellers and residents, this may be just a practical idea born out of necessity to meet their daily shopping needs.  But it is quite an interesting sight for visitors.  For someone like me who was sprinkled with dust of Venice magic, its appeal even evokes a bit of romanticism.

A realist in Venice, would become a romantic by mere faithfulness to what he saw before him.  - Arthus Symons, British poet



        
Floating market, Venice


Market Day, Venice, Italy IV

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.


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Stefan (not his real name) took a photo of a magnificent train in the breathtaking nature of Alaska.  He had kept it for 20 years, thinking maybe some day he would have a painting made of the photo.

I had the pleasure of meeting him and his lovely wife a couple of years ago at an art opening.  Soon afterward they started collecting my paintings.  Just recently Stefan said to me, "You know, I never thought of this to be done in watercolor, but can I commission you to do an Alaskan train painting from my photo?"  I looked at the photo and was astounded by its high level of visual quality.  It was first-class art in and of itself.  I knew then it was going to be a challenge to create a painting that matches the level of this photo.

But Stefan was very interested to see how I would do it in my unique way.  After listening to an account of his adventure from 20 years ago, I was inspired enough!  We then discussed and agreed on the details (the cost, size, colors, design, scope of my work, delivery, etc.).

Presenting my preliminary design work, I asked Stefan to point out what changes to be made.  Incorporating his request, I went on to complete this painting.  Then, time for delivery.  Much to my delight (and relief), he and his wife liked the final result, which reflects realism of the photo but was uniquely interpreted and executed in my way.

If you'd like to discuss commissions, please feel free to send me an email.


Alaska Railroad

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 12 x 16 in.
Purchase: Sold


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San Diego Watercolor Society is now accepting registration for my workshop on Perspective.  Here's what I am planning to do.  If this is of your interest, I hope you'll join me!

"Applying Perspective to Landscapes" - Successfully applying perspective makes a landscape painting more inviting and engaging.  I will show how I design my painting based on a solid plan using effective perspective.  I will demonstrate one or two landscape or cityscape paintings a day, discuss my methods and materials and answer questions.  I will offer one-on-one instruction as participants work on painting.  A day will be finished with a group critique.  All levels welcome.

Date: December 4 & 5, 2010
Place: San Diego Watercolor Society, San Diego, California
Registration: click here to register


Assisi, Italy VII

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.


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This year I am starting a new painting series of none other than - Paris!  Oh, I know it seems every artist paints Paris at some point of their career, and I've been painting it, too, especially café scenes.  So choosing this city as a theme of new series may be more of a cliché.

But as I was musing last week, Paris holds a very special place in my heart.  For this series, I plan to take a more intimate look at the city that I love - its streets, people, dogs, parks, restaurants, river and bridges, etc. 

Friedrich Nietzche said, "As an artist, a man has no home in Europe except in Paris.''  What a statement!  By working on this series, I am not looking to reach a higher level of philosophical enlightenment to make my own statement.  The idea behind this series is simply I Love Paris, and I think that's what I will probably say when I finish the series.


Paris (#1) - Bistro

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Sold


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This café, near an entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens, is in such a great location it seems always busy.  Late afternoon the light was coming straight into the terrace where people were enjoying a drink before heading home or for other evening activities...  This is the story of this painting.  But I hope you will see what will happen after this scene.  A waiter will come and clear one of the round tables that was just vacated.  Soon these three tables (in front) will be taken by more customers as an evening approaches.

Here's how I painted this scene:

I began putting a weak wash in the background to suggest foliage and dappled sunlight on the foreground.  While the first wash was still moist, I quickly added dark colors under cafe tables and where retracted awnings were.  I let this stage dry, and then added trees and people, using thicker pigments.


 


Paris Café XXXVIII

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 9.5 x 7.5 in.
Mat/Frame: Yes/No
Mat Size: 14 x 11 in.
Purchase: Sold

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Shadows on a street leading up to St. Peter's Basilica suggest it is midday.  I like it when bright sun creates dark edges that I enjoy painting against areas in the lighter value.  But in this painting, I really had fun with colors -- the colors of paints that I happened to have on my palette yesterday.

A small palette that I normally use when I travel needed cleaning.  So I was going to start a day by washing this.  When I looked at it, some paints had been used up but the colors that still remained were moist under an air-tight lid.  I saw cobalt blue, alizarin crimson, aureolin, yellow ochre, cobalt red and a little bit of turquoise and burnt umber, and I decided to make good use of them in this painting.  As a result, I think these colors helped achieve a cohesive harmony I was looking for in a midday scene.  But tomorrow I really have to wash this palette.

 
Roma, Italia XXIII

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.

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Crossing Piazza Venezia is definitely not for the faint-hearted.  Cars, taxis, buses, lots of scooters and occasional horse carriages seem to come and go from anywhere and incessantly.  So, anybody who deals with traffic on the Rome's busiest square must have one of the most thrilling jobs.  This traffic control officer, standing on a podium in the middle of the piazza was a testament to that.

Wearing a white helmet, white gloves and a whistle around his neck, he was signaling to drivers who poured into Piazza Venezia from all directions.  Given the traffic condition, I had to take my hat off to him.  He was just like a lion tamer, if you will, as he was moving everyone flawlessly from one side to the other.  This painting is one of my favorite Roman scenes.


                          (details)

                         (details)


Roma, Italia XXII

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.

Click here to see other Italian cityscape/landscape paintings.


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After walking around on streets of Paris for a while, I would have to make a hard decision whether to go in a café or to find a bench in a quiet park to sit down.  My answer to this dilemma is the Luxembourg Gardens (On peut faire d'une pierre deux coups!).

If your feet are sore and you need a little caffeine boost and clean air, you'll feel nothing is more relaxing and satisfying than sitting at this open-air café inside the Luxembourg Gardens.  In warmer months, greens of chestnut trees provide cool shades.  When I was there last time, even music was provided by a British high school orchestra from a nearby bandstand.

This concludes my Paris Café series.  But I will be still painting Parisian café scenes from time to time.  They will be included in my new series "Paris."


Paris Café L

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.


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I was notified yesterday that my painting "Journey Home IX" was chosen as the Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor in the FineArtViews Painting Competition (December 2009).  This is quite an honor as entries came in hundreds and many were truly breathtaking fine pieces.  Judge was Nancy Guzik.  Here's where you can view all award-winning paintings (link).

Journey Home is a series of paintings depicting everyday scenes of Kyoto, Japan, my hometown, that I feel the need to record.  Living thousands of miles away from home, I am shocked to see some things look totally different when I return.  It is comforting to find some old things the same as they were but they, too, make me wonder how long they stay that way.

In Journey Home IX, these old wooden houses were the last ones around in this small section along a busy highway as more and more were being replaced by high-rises.  They looked a kind of cozy with snow on top and a small garden in the back, providing a peaceful view to people living in tall apartment buildings nearby.  Sadly, though, when I was in Kyoto last month, they were gone.  There's a price to pay for any transient beauty, but this was a big one for me, emotionally.


Journey Home IX

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Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 29 x 10.25 in.
Purchase: Sold


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How we connect with a new place we visit is just like a relationship.  It may be a love at first sight (so we never leave) or we may leave disappointed (never to return).  In most cases, we were already interested enough to visit, so naturally we enjoy 'our first date' and may want to return to get to know it better.

I love Paris.  To think of my first visit there about 20 years ago, it was not a love at first sight (it was too short).  But Paris already had a special place in my heart and my feelings for the City of Light have grown stronger and stronger after each following visit.

The Parisian café, one of the popular symbols of the city, has been my favorite painting subject in the last couple of years (click to see Paris Café paintings).  But this year I am going to make another painting series of Paris.  Stepping outside the café, I will capture quiet moments in backstreets.  I will sit on a bench at a park and make a sketch.  I will walk along the Seine, climb the Montmartre hill and paint views visitors from all over the world come to see... I have many ideas but  I don't have a big mission to accomplish.  This new series will be just a way to express my feelings - sort of like my love letters to Paris.


Paris Café XII

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Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 7.5 x 9.5 in.
Mat/Frame: Yes/No
Mat Size: 11 x 14 in.
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Known for famous intellectuals who used to frequent here (such as J-P Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Picasso), Café de Flore still attracts the same kind and many others.

Behind glass panels, I could see young couples, foreign tourists, and wealthy old men and women.  There were also families on vacation and a couple of well-dressed businessmen.  I could only guess, but they must have come here for more than a cup of coffee.  To experience the charm of an old Parisian cafe, to be part of its history, to people-watch, or to daydream -- whatever their purpose might have been, they probably had a very special time in this historic café.   


Paris Café XLIX

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 7.5 x 9.5 in.
Mat/Frame: Yes/No
Mat Size: 11 x 14 in.
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.


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To really soak up the atmosphere of a place, you must stay there for a while.  In an upscale shopping district in Lisbon like the Chiado, finding an outdoor cafe is an easy and inexpensive way for a traveler to do that.

People watching is always interesting, but, if we can also watch cable cars coming and going every few minutes, it'll be a special memory of this beautiful city.  This historic café, surrounded by elegant buildings, is in a great location for the experience.

Another thing I like about this place is, whether you are alone or not, you always have the pleasure of being joined by one of the greatest Portuguese poets, Fernando Pessoa, who used to come to this café.

    A statue of Fernando Pessoa


Click here to see my paintings of the interiors of this café.


Lisbon Café, Portugal VII

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Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.


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Compared to a city scene cluttered with all kinds of man-made things, a rural landscape usually looks simpler and more straightforward.  This doesn't translate to a facility in painting rural scenes, however.  Needless to say, it is a painter's familiarity with a subject matter that allows him to do a painting with more confidence.

I've been practically a city person most of my life, having lived in places where snowy days were quite rare.  So as I started this painting, I was not sure whether I would finish it without losing an initial motivation.  As it turns out, I enjoyed it till the end.

For one thing, working from a limited palette helped me.  When a real scene looks like something from a black-and-white brush painting (or sumi-e), we don't need a full set of colors to confuse our mind (or ruin a painting).  For this painting, I used ultramarine blue, brown madder, alizarin crimson, viridian, turquoise, quinacridone gold, and a little bit of white.


Click here to read more about a Japanese village in this painting.

Click here to see another painting of the same village.


Waiting for Spring (Shiga, Japan) III

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Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Sold

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I hear from friends and news reports that many parts of the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing one of the coldest winters right now.  Days of bitterly frigid temperatures will make one wonder whether a harsh winter will ever end.  When snow and ice are overwhelming, life becomes a fight for survival.  In the face of Mother Nature, we are helpless but we can always believe spring will come again.

Like a golden beacon signaling on a moonless night // Tao guides our passage through this transitory realm. // In moments of darkness and pain // remember all is cyclical. // Sit quietly behind your wooden door: // Spring will come again.

(Poem by Loy Ching-Yuen, Chinese tai chi master of the early 20th century)


Click here to read more about a Japanese village in this painting.


Waiting for Spring (Shiga, Japan) II

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Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
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This scene, just outside the Seville's majestic Royal Palaces, may look like a snapshot of any tourists but this white horse was so beautiful I couldn't pass up an opportunity to make a quick sketch of it.

In fact, there are many horse-drawn carriages waiting for riders near here and the Seville cathedral.  These old-fashioned carriages with bright yellow wheels must be a really nice way to enjoy the atmosphere of the city's particularly charming neighborhood of maze-like alleys and flower-decked patios.


Sevilla, Spain VII

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Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.

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This painting shows only a part of the semi-circular building at the Plaza de España, which is inside María Luisa Park in Seville.  Built in a style heavily influenced by the Moorish tastes, this must be one of the most beautiful architectures in all of Seville.

Just before the sunset time, the building glowed in the gorgeous golden-orange color.  The intensity of the color kept growing and growing as if it would soon burn the building.  And then it was gone.  It was a mesmerizing sight.  It was almost seductive and flirtatious, if I may say so, just like Carmen, a gypsy woman portrayed in Bizet's opera.  Royal Tobacco Factory where Carmen worked is not so far from here.


Sevilla, Spain VI

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Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Sold

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We had some time to kill before our bus arrived, so we went into a bar at the bus terminal in Seville.  It was a very hot day (the Andalusian sun can be maddeningly intense!) and we were tired and not really looking for a fancy meal, so just being inside was a treat enough.

After studying their tapas menu, we made a few choices including the one that said "our award-winning regional specialty."  To be honest, we didn't take that too seriously from a bar that caters to long-distance bus travelers.

While waiting, I looked around the inside this bar.  The place was rather nondescript but there was a little bit of Andalusian charm here and there.  So I made a little sketch as a souvenir for me.  Our order came to our table.  Their special tapa was roasted snails stewed with vegetables.  It was unbelievably rich - what a treat it was.


Sevilla Bar, Spain III

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Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
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City streets have been such fascinating subjects for me, but hilly ones are especially attractive (and challenging to paint, too).  If they are picturesque or display inherent character of history or tug at my heartstrings for one reason or another, I simply cannot resist the temptation to paint them.

Lisbon, a city of the seven hills, has plenty of such streets.  This one overlooks River Tagus.  I painted it because I liked architectural features of the buildings and I also thought everything was in the right place.  But while I was painting, I began to wonder what could be there around the corner of this slightly winding street.  Maybe it was the little mystery of something hidden over there that was really alluring for my desire to paint this street.


Lisbon, Portugal II

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Reserved
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I joined Daily Painters Gallery exactly a year ago today.  It's been an amazing year, painting, blogging and getting to know many of DPG artists and viewers.  At times, life threw at me unexpected things and I couldn't get to my studio or I had to miss posting, but I made a commitment to make daily painting a top priority in 2009.

Thank you for checking my blog to see my daily effort.  I am grateful that many of my creations have found a new home.  Thank you for sending me your comments, opinions, inquiries and kind emails, all of which I value as they are your voices.  They mean a lot to me.

To celebrate my first anniversary with DPG, I would like to offer a 10% discount to any of my available daily paintings, from now through the end of January.  Please sit back, with a cup of coffee, and enjoy browsing through my gallery page at Daily Painters Gallery (there are more than 330 paintings there).  For more information on any painting, please send me an email.


Station Cafe, Spain

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 7.25 x 6.25 in.
Purchase: Sold


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Toji Temple is located not so far from the Kyoto train station.  Its pagoda, being the tallest wooden tower in Japan, is probably the most prominent landmark of the city and one of the most exquisitely beautiful structures.

Toji was built around the time Japan's capital was established in Kyoto (it was called Heian-kyo) in 794.  This and another temple stood on both sides of the Rashomon, the south gate to Heian-kyo, which, sadly, doesn't exist any more.

The pagoda is also a nostalgic symbol, especially to those who call Kyoto home.  It is not so often that I go back there, so when the pagoda comes into view on my way to Kyoto, I feel I'm back.

Click here to see another painting of Toji Temple.


Toji Temple, Kyoto, Japan II

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Sold
Please send me an email for more information.


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Some places are better to explore without a map, especially if their size is relatively small.  It helps if they are inside walls or surrounded by rivers or sitting on top of a hill, so getting lost is not so risky even for the not-so-adventurous.  Toledo in Central Spain is such a place.

Instead of just connecting dots to visit many of its historic monuments, I like walking in this city's narrow streets, not really deciding where to go.  The hilly streets are like a maze and can be hard especially under the scorching summer sun.

But, at every turn, there's something to be discovered.  It can be the cutest stray cat or an old workshop of a sword-maker or a tiny mom-and-pop store where you can buy a much-needed cold bottled water.  Sometimes you are treated to a spectacular view of the land below when you least expect it.


Toledo, Spain VI

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.

Click to see other Toledo paintings: Toledo V, Toledo IV, Afternoon Light (Toledo III).

Nishijin is a district where professional weavers have lived and worked for centuries.  The textile woven for kimonos in the unique Nishijin style has been revered and purchased by people who could afford it.  It used to be that the sound of weaving coming from many houses could be heard around here in its heyday as if it was raining hard.  But now there are only a handful of masters who preserve traditions of this ancient industry.

Walking on a narrow street at Nishijin one late afternoon, I tried to imagine how it used to be.  There was no sound of weaving at the time although I noticed some of the houses had a small plate in front with a name of their weaving-related business.  Bamboo fences of these traditional machiya (merchant style) houses also hold the key as they are all different, from a weaver to a thread seller to a kimono dealer.

A delivery guy on a scooter came to bring some meals (probably soba or buckwheat noodles).  Maybe inside one of these houses, there was a weaver who was too busy working to have lunch at a normal time.


Nishijin, Kyoto, Japan I

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.

Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises made the Fiesta of San Fermin, held every July in the city of Pamplona, Spain, more famous beyond borders.  During the 2-week festival, the city is filled with people wearing white and red (a white shirt and a red scarf around a neck or a waist seem to be an official outfit for many men).

Here are some quotes by Hemingway that I have found helpful for me as I make a new year's resolution to paint every day.  They remind me to be diligent, honest, humble and determined not to give up.


"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way."

"There is no rule on how to write.  Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it's like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges."

"There is nothing to writing.  All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."

"We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master."


Fiesta of San Fermin (Pamplona, Spain I)

Click here for a larger image of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.