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"En Andalucía me siento como en casa"- so I was quoted in the recent interview by a journalist from InSevilla, a digital newspaper of cultural events in Seville, Spain (April 29, 2013).  The article of my interview was just published in time for my watercolor workshop there.  Clearly the interviewer was someone knowledgeable of watercolor painting and there were very good questions.

 

The interview was made possible by my dear friend María José Barrera Garrido, an artist and a teacher who is well respected widely in Seville and its surrounding region.  She is having a watercolor painting exhibition in May at Plaza de Armas in the city of Seville.

 

Since the original article is in Spanish, here are their questions and my answers in English that appeared in Keiko Tanabe, acuarelas universales:

 

InSevilla: In this course (referring to my workshop) you deal with three principal objectives: atmosphere, light and shadow.  Are these keys to a good watercolor?

 

Keiko: When I'm inspired to paint something, what attracts me most is the quality of light and atmosphere in the subject.  I believe that fluidity of the medium of watercolor is perfect to capture that.  In my course, I teach some methods and techniques useful for this effect.  To me, a good watercolor painting is, first, one that shows the artist's full grasp of the medium, and second, one that resonates with the emotions the artist wanted to communicate.  A good painting doesn't have to be impressionistic.

InSevilla: Generally watercolor painting represents realistic landscapes.  Do you think it could be used as well to paint expressionist art, like dreams, nightmares, less figurative art?
 

Keiko: Of course.  In fact, I always think that a painting, in any medium, should speak something about the artist's emotional truth.  Whether it's a realistic landscape or a spiritual abstract painting, an artist should be aware of his inner voice and create a work that transcends a mere depiction of the subject.

InSevilla: Many people say light in Seville and Andalusia is different.  Do you agree with that?  What different features do you see?
 

Keiko: It's so strong and intense that the play of light and shadows often creates a scene that is full of passion and drama.  I only know Andalusia in the summertime so the light may be different in other seasons.  In San Diego, California where I live, I see some similarities in the weather, architecture and other cultural aspects, so I feel at home in Andalusia.

InSevilla: Do you think watercolor painting is valued as it deserves?  It seems it is like a second-level art compared to oil on canvas. 

 

Keiko: In general, that's how it's been perceived in many parts of the world, as I understand.  However, that traditional view may soon be regarded as outdated.  Today, largely thanks to the internet, the world is discovering more than ever many watercolor paintings of high quality.  I am hopeful that will change the general perception of the medium and raise the level of watercolor paintings as a whole.

InSevilla: Basically, what are the pro and cons of watercolor painting versus other techniques?

Keiko: Watercolor is relatively low maintenance because it is portable, odorless and dries fast.  For this reason, it may be best suited to do quick sketches with on location.  Technique-wise, its characteristic of being rather unforgiving may restrict the creativity of an artist.  It may result in having to do careful planning prior to painting.  I feel, however, watercolorists should try to enjoy the process without worrying too much about the result or even take advantage of its elusiveness.

InSevilla: Who are the best watercolor painters now and which artists do you like?  Any Spanish painters?

Keiko: There are many watercolor artists from the past and the present whose methods and styles have inspired and influenced me along the way.  I especially admire artists whose work evokes emotions as if they were soulful music or exciting drama: John Singer Sargent, Robert Wade, Mary Whyte and Alvaro Castagnet, to name a few.  As for Spanish artists, not really a watercolorist but Joaquín Sorolla's works attracted me very much for his figures draped in light.  In watercolor, Laurentino Martí and Manolo Jiménez are among my favorites.  I also want to add that I liked many works exhibited by Spanish artists in the Muestra internacional de acuarela Ciudad de Dos Hermanas (2012).

InSevilla: What is a big mistake that beginner watercolorists should avoid?

Keiko: It is often said that watercolor is the most difficult medium to handle, and that may be true to some degree.  First of all, I would like to tell beginners not to be discouraged by it because it is also very rewarding.  But before learning how to control the fluidity of the medium, I see some beginners needing to spend more time learning how to see things and how to draw.  In my course, I always stress the importance of developing a solid drawing skill and the ability to see perspective, contrast and spatial relationships.

InSevilla: Anything else you would like to say?

Keiko: I am looking forward to coming back to Sevilla soon and sharing the joy of watercolor painting with local artists.  Thank you for your time.

 

 

Sevilla, Spain IX

 

Click for an enlarged view.

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 19 x 13 inches (48 x 33 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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If I were to make a video of my travel bloopers, I should definitely include footage of my visit to Tai-O.  Tai-O, a small fishing village in Hong Kong, will be one that I will never forget because of what happened there.

 

I was already excited to see the village even before I arrived there, so imagine how I was when I got there.  In short, I lost myself in the sights and fell in a canal.  I wanted to get a perfect viewpoint and walked down the steps to get close to the water surface.  When I noticed the last few steps covered with moss, it was already too late.  I slipped and started going down in water, which was not too deep but mucky.  There was nothing for me to hold on to, so I kept slipping while desperately trying to keep my camera above the water, and by doing so cut my wrist on the stone step.  I still don't know what stopped me from sinking further but miraculously only my pant legs were soaking wet.

 

A friend of mine who traveled there together was horrified and ran to a nearby cafe to fetch a first-aid kit for my wound.  I truly felt sorry for her because my carelessness scared her.  To a small circle of my close friends, I am known for doing pretty daring things to find a better view or get to a perfect spot for a painting.  I think now she is one of those friends (but, dear friend, if you're reading this, I am really sorry..).

 

 

Tai-O, Hong Kong II

 

Click for an enlarged view.

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 15.5 x 11.5 inches (39 x 29 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

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I got contacted by a Turkish watercolor artist who lives in Bodrum.  I happened to be in a nearby city with my friend and we were traveling down to Bodrum the day before.  The Bodrum artist heard that I was in the neighborhood and offered to show me around the Bodrum Castle by the ocean.  Did I know her?  Yes, but we were only facebook friends and had never met in person.

 

On a very tight schedule with only 30 minutes to spare, I met up with her for a very quick tour of the castle and a conversation, literally, on the run.  It was so nice of her but frankly I was suprised that she was willing to show me - virtually a stranger - around her town.  Yet it's also true that this kind of encounter is happening to me more often lately as I travel and visit a far-away place where I have online friends.  In some cases, these casual meetings can lead to true friendship or important business opportunities.  Online social networking has its pros and cons; however, I'd like to believe a lot of good things can happen that broaden our horizons and even help our business.

 

 

Bodrum, Turkey I

 

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Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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I am delighted and honored to announce my participation in the Les Aquarellades 2013, an international invitational watercolor exhibition.  It takes place in Mons, Belgium, about 50km SSW of Brussels, from today through February 10.

 

Four original paintings of mine, including this one, are on exhibit, together with works of other fine watercolorists selected for this show.  I will also have the pleasure of doing a 2-day workshop, Saisir l'atmosphere et la lumiere en aquarelle and a demo  during the event.

 

 

Venice Reflections XI

 

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Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 29 x 10 inches (74 x 25 cm)

Frame/Mat: Yes

Purchase: Available during exhibition.

Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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A Room with a View - when a young English woman and her cousin/chaperone didn't get a room with a view they had requested at a hotel in Florence, Italy, fellow guests from England, a father and his son, offered to trade their room.  Theirs had a view and the older man believed that "women like looking at a view and men don't."  The view in question was the one with the Arno River and cityscape of this Renaissance city.

 

The movie A Room with a View, based on the novel by E.M. Foster, was beautifully done, making viewers want to visit Florence and, particularly, stay in a room with a view at a hotel - like Pensione Bertolini, the place where the movie starts and ends.  Of course, a room with a view comes with a higher price tag, but in a city like Florence, it's probably worth it.  For a traveling painter, it can also be a perfect place to work.  After breakfast, just open the window and there it is, the first subject of the day.

 

 

Sunset, Florence, Italy II

 

Click for an enlarged view.

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 19 x 13 inches (48 x 33 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon and I enjoyed strolling along my favorite beach.  The natural setting around here is so beautiful and I never get tired of visiting here.  In fact every time I come here, it is hard to leave.  Off the coast, surfers were getting good waves that day and they were also having a great time.

 

With the sun almost set and the air quickly cooling down, fog rolled in from the ocean, enveloping the craggy cliffs of the Torrey Pines Reserve.  It was getting chilly, almost time for me to go home -- but the thought didn't seem to come to the minds of some die-hard surfers.  Like they might be waiting for just one more good surfing wave, I found myself looking for an excuse to linger on: I will stay maybe until I see another train.

 

 

Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego, California XII

 

Click here for an enlarged view.

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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If anyone has traveled with me, they know that I don't generally rely on maps.  Even in a new place, I may look at a map just to get an idea in which direction to go, but after that I venture out while maps usually stay inside my backpack.  It is not due to a lack of spatial ability or my gender that I don't like them.  I think it has more to do with my adventurous nature, or wanting to be surprised by unexpected discoveries.

 

I don't normally plan my route following tourist attractions, so that's another reason maps are not particularly important to me.  Of course I get lost easily by exploring a foreign place in this manner, but the truth is, I like to allow myself to be lost.  I can say, in my past travels, I have found more interesting things walking down back alleys with locals rather than on main streets with tourists.  In fact, most of the time I might have not fully realized that I was lost... it does take time before I finally admit it myself.  But getting lost is ok with me because it gives me a chance to find a local person to ask for directions.  Usually people are very kind and such an interaction with locals, however brief, become precious travel memories for me to take home.

 

 

Venice Canal XII

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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After a long voyage at sea all the way from Japan, an expansive view of Marseille was the first thing my father saw as his ship pulled into the harbor.  Back in the early 1960s when travels to a foreign country were so rare and expensive for most Japanese, my father, still a young scholar, was invited by the French Government to spend a year in Paris as a guest researcher.  I can imagine what the experience really meant for him as his lasting impressions never faded and he devoted his academic career to the teaching and research in French literature and philosophy for decades after that.

 

There's no doubt I love visiting France because of my father's influence.  In Marseille I always enjoy walking around the Old Port (Vieux-Port) watching beautiful boats sailing on the Mediterranean.  So what I depicted in this painting is definitely one of my favorite subjects.  But for me personally, because the Marseille Vieux-Port was my father's first sight of his beloved country, it has a significant meaning.  And I wanted to create a mood and a sense of timelessness that would transport me back to a time long ago.

 

This painting is currently in the San Diego Watercolor Society 32nd International Exhibition.  The show opened yesterday and runs through October 31 (the opening reception on October 5).

 

 

Marseille Vieux-Port, France V

 

Click here for an enlarged view.

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 21 x 29 inches (53 x 74 cm)

Frame/Mat: Yes

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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I am pleased to announce that "Marseille Vieux-Port, France V" has been juried into the San Diego Watercolor Society 32nd International Exhibition (judge: Nicholas Simmons).

 

The exhibition will open at the SDWS Gallery on October 1 and run through October 31.  The opening reception will be held at the venue on October 5, with many exhibitors and visitors attending.

 

 

Marseille Vieux-Port, France V

 

Click for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 21 x 29 inches (53 x 74 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Available during the exhibition through gallery

 

Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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"I was lucky to come from a difficult area.  It teaches you not just about football but also life.  There were lots of kids from different races and poor families.  People had to struggle to get through the day."  - Zinedine Zidane, French soccer legend, native of Marseille, son of Algerian immigrants

 

For almost two thousand years, Marseille has been a gateway for people arriving in France from other countries.  Immigrants have come from virtually an every corner of the world but mainly Greece, Italy, Turkey, and in later years from North Africa such as Algeria and Morocco.  With many settling there, Marseille has rapidly become a large, ethnically-diverse, multicultural city.

 

It is the city's Old Port (Vieux-Port) that received people who traveled the Mediterranean to come to France.  Today, the port area serves as a marina for hundreds of leisure boats and looks just lovely with seaside cafes, restaurants and the warm Provencal ambiance.   But if we walk past it and a little deeper off main roads, we will see the reality of the city as a melting pot of immigrant communities, some of which are definitely not on a tourist's map.

 

 

Marseille Vieux-Port, France IV

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

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Spend 10 minutes on top of the Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal, and you will perhaps see a dozen different kinds of boats that go up and down this city's major water corridor - waterbuses, taxis, barges, private boats of local residents and of course gondolas, etc., all navigating their way through each other.

 

The Grand Canal is said to follow the course of an ancient river and the area around the Rialto Bridge is the place of the first settlement that later became the city's center of trade.  From what we see today, the area is still the scene of busy life in Venice.

 

 

 

Canal Grande, Venice, Italy VII

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches (29 x 39 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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From the top of the cliff at Cape Kiritappu in eastern Hokkaido, I could see several fishing boats bobbing in rough water.  As its Japanese name implies, the area around here is often foggy but on the day I was there it was mostly clear - only freezing cold.

 

On a small boat three fishermen were hard at work but I couldn't tell what was caught in their nets.  No matter what, their catch must have been of excellent quality.  Hokkaido, Japan's nothernmost island, is surrounded by the three oceans and has the most fertile fishing grounds in the country.  Salmon from there, among others, is no doubt the best in Japan.  If you get a nice cut of salmon next time, eating this dish originally created by Hokkaido fishermen will make you feel like you're there (recipe courtesy of Powderlife).

 

 

Kiritappu, Hokkaido, Japan I

 

A large digital file available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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I like visiting the waterfront area in San Pedro.  A seaside promenade walk while admiring beautiful boats and cruise ships is always nice, but, for me, to see a gigantic industrial zone of the Port of Los Angeles in the background adds a sense of excitement to an otherwise tranquil scene.

 

There's also a working harbor for fishing vessels that I love to paint.  Here's one of my attempts showing some of the hard-working fishing boats anchored for the night.  The sun had just set behind the hills in the back while the fog was rolling in.... it was a golden opportunity for a painting I couldn't pass up.

 

 

 

 

San Pedro, California II

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches (29 x 39 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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If anyone wants to paint or learn to draw elegant boats, I'd say, go to La Rochelle.  Signs of heritage and tradition as an important seaside town in the French maritime history are everywhere.  Especially if you approach La Rochelle by boat, you will understand it immediately as you are welcomed by massive medieval towers that were built to protect the town from enemies coming from the sea.  Then you see hundreds of boats and yachts in their ports behind the fortified walls, and beautiful houses of shipbuilders and merchants in their historic old center.  A jewel of all towns dotted along the Bay of Biscay, La Rochelle is a North Atlantic port town with the unique French flair at its best  - a perfect place for francophile maritime painters.

 

 

La Rochelle, France II

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches (29 x 39 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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Cities like Paris seem to have such charm that they make you dream of things both ordinary and extraordinary.  For instance, thinking of Paris makes me dream of strolling down a street with a baguette in hand or living on a luxurious houseboat on the Seine.

 

In Paris I always enjoy walking along the river banks to see all the boats, especially the ones with their owners living inside.  What a life it must be to wake up to a view of the Eiffel Tower and be able to take your house out to sea!

 

 

La Seine, Paris V

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 21.5 x 14.25 inches (54.5 x 36 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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Isola dei Pescatori is an island on Lake Maggiore and easy to get to from the town of Stresa.  It is so small, about 380 meters by 100 meters, we can survey its entire length in a few seconds as our boat approaches the island.

 

As its name implies, there used to be a community of fishermen here.  Compared to nearby islands known for elaborate gardens or a baroque palace, on Isola dei Pescatori, it is still possible to feel traditional way of life from the past.  Although we may see more tourists walking on narrow streets on the island today, old fishing boats left on the shore suggest their traditional occupation is still alive.  Such a charming island on a beautiful lake with an alpine backdrop - the setting is almost like a fairy tale.  Click here to see another painting of this island.

 

 

Lago Maggiore, Italy IV

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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I was looking out the window from a train into Northern Italy when I had a glimpse of the picturesque town of Stresa by Lake Maggiore.  I remember the amazing colors of blue green water as a backdrop of red, sun-lit roofs of the houses and lush green landscape there.  From the fast-moving train I was able to enjoy the almost dream-like view for only a few seconds, but the image was so ingrained in my mind I was determined to get off a train there if I ever had another chance.

 

A few years later, very unexpectedly my wish came true and I did have an opportunity of returning to the Lake District in Italy.  I went to Stresa as I had planned, and even ventured out further to visit Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Island), one of the islands on the lake...

 

 

Lago Maggiore, Italy III (Isola dei Pescatori)

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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When we travel and live without routine for an extended period of time, things that were enjoyable at the beginning of the trip can be felt more as a nuisance or stress.   This can happen to anyone including the most adventurous type, and a remedy may be a 'vacation' from your travel.

 

A small island of Bozcaada seemed like a perfect place for that - just to relax without worrying about anything that's associated with day-to-day hustle of traveling.  One of the two Turkish islands in the Aegean Sea, Bozcaada has a long and tumultuous history but now it is a peaceful, laid-back place, popular mainly with Turkish visitors.

 

 

 

Bozcaada, Turkey I

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

 

Bozcaada, Turkey II

 

Bozcaada, Turkey II

 

A larger view of this painting is available on  request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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I remember all the excitement surrounding February 14 when I was growing up in Japan.  On Valentine's Day, it was customary for girls to give chocolate to boys.  So, for days (or perhaps for weeks, it seemed) before the big day, candy stores were packed with girls looking for a perfect box of chocolate for their someone special.  But that was not the end.  Men and boys who received a gift were supposed to give women something in return on March 14, which was called White Day.  I wonder if this tradition still continues today?

 

In today's painting is a couple walking in a snowy park near Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island.  Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

White Lovers, Hokkaido, Japan I

 

A larger image of this painting is avaialble on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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No matter what the results, painting outdoors is always a rewarding experience because we learn so much that may be too hard to learn in the studio.  After painting all day in a couple of different locations, I came to this beach.  The sun was about to set and the light was just irresistible.  I knew there wouldn't be enough time to finish a painting but I did as much as I could anyway (I completed it in my studio the next day).

 

Today I will do a demo in Lakeside, near San Diego, California, for a plein-air painters group from the San Diego Watercolor Society.  Today's weather forecast: Mostly cloudy skies.  Slight chance of a rain shower. High 61F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.

 

 

"With all the changing atmosphere and clouds, changing light and everything, you basically have to stick to your original idea.  It's very challenging at times."  - Clyde Aspevig

 

"I strive to capture the moment, that fleeting light or atmospheric effect, tackled with a sense of urgency and an awareness that the prevailing conditions are transient and will not be precisely repeated. "  - Trevor Chamberlain

 

 

painting at Refugio State Beach

 

 

Refugio State Beach, California I

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 14.25 x 21.5 inches (36 x 54.5 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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"This is our beautiful house in the Deux Sevres region of France, called Bandouille, a wonderful stone building, part 12th century monastery, and part 18th century farmhouse, set within the 24 acre grounds, facing the 12 acre lake.  We have numerous outbuildings and barns, the remains of the original church, the magnificent monastery dome, two smaller lakes, fields and orchards.

 

"... after some time in the studio, we will take you out and about, to some of the locations we have found in the area.  Historic towns, chateaux, landscapes, rivers etc. are all within an hours drive.  Subjects to inspire you to paint or sketch, to enjoy yourself quietly on your own or with other like minded people who have also joined us for the week.  We will have guest tutors visiting, and staying with us during the summer, who will be more than happy to give advice on methods and techniques, or you can chat with  members of the local "pleinair" art group or any of the other artist friends who regularly visit or pop in."

 

You have just read an invitation from the lovely British owners of Bandouille to those who love France and painting in a relaxed atmosphere.  And having it all in the springtime when the weather is just comfortable, wouldn't that sound perfect?  I will lead a plein-air watercolor painting workshop at Bandouille in April.  Come and join us for an unforgettable painting experience!

 

Click here to get all the details.

 

 

Bandouille Terrace

 

  Parthenay, France (near Bandouille)

 

St Loup sur Thouet (near Bandouille)

 

* These paintings of mine are not for sale.

 

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It is often said that being an artist is a lonely profession.  It is true.  To grow as an artist as well as to raise our skill level, we do need plenty of "alone" time  - with our art.  But many of us also seek ways to connect and socialize with our peers.  Even if one lives in a remote corner of the world, with today's technology, it is not difficult to find colleagues.  For me, personally and professionally, meeting and making new artist friends at art openings, workshops, paint-outs and also on my blog, facebook, twitter, etc. was one of the great things that happened in 2011.

 

A demonstration/lecture organized by Watercolor West, my latest art event about 10 days ago, was particularly enjoyable (Read my previous post about this event).  I had never met before most of 80-90 people who attended the event but, being watercolor artists, I felt we developed instant camaraderie.  Among them was Karen Werner.  It was very nice of her to write a post on her blog about my demo.  And there was Carolyn Streed who has been traveling all across America with her husband in their coach.  She and I have been facebook friends for some time and we were excited to finally meet face-to-face.

 

As we prepare to ring in a new year, I look forward to many more encounters like these throughout 2012.

 

 

Portofino, Italy VI

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches (29 x 39 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold (Collection Carolyn Streed)

 

 

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Shopping, wrapping, decorating, sending out holiday cards, entertaining... Is your to-do list too long, and you're feeling a little stressed-out?  If you find yourself not really enjoying this special time of the year, then it's time to do something just for yourself.  If you are a watercolor painter or love the medium, I may have a suggestion.

 

Next Sunday I will be doing a painting demonstration and lecture in Los Angeles.  Please come and enjoy as I finish off the 2011 watercolor seminar series organized by the Watercolor West.

 

 

Sunday, December 18, 1-5pm

Brea Civic Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California

For more information and registration, visit Watercolor West website.

 

 

Malibu, California I

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 14.25 x 21.5 inches (36 x 54.5 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

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I am very pleased to announce that North American Watercolor Artists (NAWA) will have our very first show in America at the prestigious Strathmore mansion in N. Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A.

 

 

STEPPING OVER THE LINE

January 7 - February 4, 2012

Opening Reception: Sunday, January 8, 2-4PM

 

Known for their forward thinking approach and unexpected points of view, NAWA members Kathleen Alexander, Carol Carter, Mark Mehaffey, Thomas Schaller, Nicholas Simmons and Keiko Tanabe, push boundaries and break through the traditional definitions and restrictions of media and artistic genres.  Whether through the unique application of color, the subtle laying of media or the intimate focal point of subject, each artist delivers a forward thinking and unique viewpoint.

 

The Mansion at Strathmore

Strathmore Hall Foundation Inc.

10701 Rockville Pike

North Bethesda, MD 20852

Phone: 301-581-5109

 

Gallery Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10AM - 4PM

Wednesday, 10AM - 9PM

Saturday, 10AM - 3PM

Sunday, Closed

 

All six of us of NAWA will be happy to meet you at the opening.   Please send me an email to receive an invitation.

 

As the show's theme "Stepping Over the Line" indicates, each of us will show 3-4 pieces that are unique and edgy.  During the show, we will also have our show catalog (a beautiful book) and some prints available.

 

 

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"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness."

 

-- John Steinbeck (From Travels with Charley: In Search of America)

 

 

In the U.S., when Labor Day comes around, we feel summer is coming to an end.  Or at least some of us seem to be mentally programmed to believe so.  At a day's end on this small beach near Cannery Row in Monterey, shadows thrown by the setting sun were getting longer every minute, looking as if they were playing with waves.  Who said summer never ends in California?  As days get shorter, we do feel a chilly edge in the salty wind and want to reach for a warm cup of coffee to walk with.

 

I am pleased to announce that Zantman Art Galleries, the oldest fine art gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea, is now representing some of my original watercolors.  When you're in the vicinity, I'd like to invite you to visit there.

 

 

Monterey, California I

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 14.25 x 21.5 inches (36 x 54.5 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

 

Carmel Beach, California I

 

Carmel Beach, California I

 

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 14.25 x 21.5 inches (36 x 54.5 cm)

Purchase: Through Gallery.  Please inquire.

 

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Canım İzmir (Dear Izmir):

İzmir, my sweet and dear city!
If I die far away from you one day,
May they bring me to you,
But while taking me to my grave,
May they not say of me, "He died,"
May they say, "He is sleeping."   (lyrics by Dario Moreno)

 

 

I was treated to a beautiful sunset over the Aegean Sea during my recent visit to Izmir.  From the top of the cliff, watching the colors of the sky change literally to the last seconds of a day, I was thinking about Dario Moreno and how he must have missed the gorgeous sunset like this when he was away from home.  My Turkish friend had introduced me to this famous native son of Izmir.  Born and raised here, Moreno became well-known as a singer/song-writer and attained success later in France and other countries.

 

  Izmir, Turkey II

 

Izmir, Turkey II

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

Izmir, Turkey III (A View from Asansör)

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

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Izmir, formerly known as Smyrna, is a historical city lying along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey.  I had the pleasure of meeting watercolor artists and art supporters in this beautiful city and doing a demonstration for them at the Izmir Museum of Art and Sculpture (İzmir Resim Heykel Müzesi).  I was so delighted to discover this place as the museum is an absolute gem, displaying an impressive collection of paintings and scultures by Turkish artists from the 20th century.

 

As in Istanbul, I received once again a very warm welcome and incredible hospitality in Izmir by those I met.  I would like to express my sincere thank-you for the museum director, Ms. Faden Suzan Kudsioglu for her kind invitation as well as my new Turkish friends who took the time to attend my demonstration.  I heard that many more would have come if not on vacation, and I hope I will meet those of you I missed the next time.  Teşekkür ederim!

 

My demo in Izmir, Turkey (A view from Kadifekale)

 

Another demo (Eskihisar) I did in Izmir, Turkey

 

 

Izmir, Turkey I (A View from Kadifekale)

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 14.25 x 21.5 inches

Purchase: Donated

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My watercolor painting "Oceanside Habor, San Diego I" has been awarded Outstanding Watercolor in the recent Bold Brush Painting Competition.  I would like to thank FineArtStudioOnline for this special recognition!

 

I am also happy to announce that this painting has been donated to the San Diego Watercolor Society for the Opportunity Drawing to be held at the opening reception of our 31st International Exhibition on October 7, 2011.  The funds raised will be used to help cover the expenses of the exhibit.

 

 

Oceanside Harbor, San Diego I

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 14.25 x 21.5 inches (36 x 54.5 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Donated

 

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On the coat of arms of Paris is a silver vessel that sails on the rough waters.  We may not see a ship like this from the Middle Ages on the Seine River any more, but the importance of the river in trade and transportation hasn't changed throughout Paris' history.

 

Le Petit Pont (The Small Bridge), connecting the the Île de la Cité and the Left Bank, is one of the first bridges built over the Seine when Paris was still called Lutetia in the Gallo-Roman era.  It was a wooden bridge back then and served as a strong fortress protecting the city.  It was swept away due to flooding of the river or design flaws many times, each time replaced by a new one.  Standing on the quay, looking up, I tired to imagine the old days when the river was not tamed and overflowing was common... and all the houses stacked up on it.  That would have been an interesting sight.  The current single stone arch bridge was built in 1853.

 

 

La Seine, Paris, France II (Le Petit Pont)

 

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

I was mentioned or featured in several art publications recently.  Professional Artist magazine just published an article on how artists supported Japanese disaster relief efforts by raising money from their art ("Artists Raise $30,000 Online for Japanese Tsunami Survivors" by Byron Kerman, July/August 2011 issue).  I was interviewed for the article and my artwork is also featured in it.

 

I was delighted that San Diego Talent Magazine did a feature article on me last month.  I was also pleased to see my name come up in one of the recent posts, entitled "Your favourite watercolour painters," in Katherine Tyrrell's popular Making a Mark blog.

 

I'd like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to those who chose to write about me or my work (My special thank-you to Byron and Katherine!).

 

 

Oceanside Harbor, San Diego, California I

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 14.25 x 21.5 inches (36 x 54.5 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Donated

 

There are two Paris must-do's that I haven't done yet despite numerous visits there over the years - a cruise on the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.  It may be that a part of me thinks they are just too touristy so I keep avoiding but another part of me, I admit, wonders if I'm missing out on a lot.  I always walk down to the water's edge or cross some of the bridges to enjoy watching people along the quays and boats traveling up and down the river.

 

I just love being part of the scene that is full of life and history while contemplating many painting possibilities.  What is also attractive to me is that any urban landscape painting involving the Seine adds a meditative quality to it.  So maybe it won't be such a bad idea to hop on one of these boats next time to see this enchanting city from a completely new perspective.

 

 

La Seine, Paris, France I

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches (29 x 39 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

I am a landscape painter but I have always been attracted to the human elements and thus look for them in a scene that I have chosen to paint.  As a result, man-made structures and some figures are almost always incorporated in the design of my painting.  So it is rather rare for me to tackle a pure landscape with no human figures in it.

 

There were actually a few people walking on this beach which commands a good view of Point Fermin in the background.  I could have included these people in the paintings; on other days I might.  But this time something told me not to do that as I felt the ambient light and pristine state of the environment should be the focal point.

 

 

 

Point Fermin, San Pedro, California I

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

 

 

Point Fermin, San Pedro, California II

 

 

Point Fermin, San Pedro, California II

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

Greek philosopher Plato said, "Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."  If music is indeed the sound of life, the sounds of gentle lapping waves, flapping of the sails, roaring wind, stormy sea, faint squeaking of the deck, and maybe occasional whale spouting… they all must have been "music" to sailors who spent weeks or months on a vessel that went around the world in the late 19th century.

 

After 21 voyages around the world, this majestic sailing ship retired and is now docked in San Diego as a floating museum.  It has become a symbol at the city's waterfront, and everyone is proud of her.  Her name is Star of India but her original name was Euterpe, the muse of music in Greek mythology.

 

 

 

Star of India, San Diego I

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

My second workshop on Landscape and Perspective just finished at the San Diego Watercolor Society.

 

When you work with 12 very enthusiastic students, time just flies by.  In three days, I did 6 demos and everyone made 3-4 paintings of a San Diego streetscape, a local beach scene, a Parisian street, etc.  I'd like to say a thank-you for all the participants and the SDWS workshop team!

 

My next workshop at the same venue this September will be focusing on a slightly different topic: how to capture light and atmosphere in watercolor (registration is already open).

 

 

 

last day of the workshop

 

 

Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego XI

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

When I get up in the morning, I don't question whether or not I'm going to paint that day because I know my answer.  I paint every day.  Each day is different as I may spend 6-8 hours painting one day and maybe just 20 minutes the next.

 

It is true, however, from time to time, there are days when I just can't feel inspired enough to get started.  Ideas are not flowing and the creative spirit is not there.  Even if I manage to force myself to paint, I struggle.

 

At a time like this, one thing I like to do is to take a break from the routine and walk in the nature so the creative mind will be freed again.  Torrey Pines State Beach is only a few minutes away and one of my favorite places in all of San Diego.  For me to feel inspired to paint again, a brief visit there always does the trick.

 

 

 

 

Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego X

 

A large digital file available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

 

 

 

 

Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego IX

 

Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego IX

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

Collioure is a village in southwest France, not far from the border with Spain.  Facing the blue Mediterranean, it commands a fantastic view of the ocean from almost anywhere in town.  Come here on a bright day and allow yourself to be embraced by the warm sun and caressed by the sea breeze, and you may not want to leave.  It's no surprise this village has been attracting many painters, too, and some ended up living here for a while.

 

If you arrive here from other parts of France or Spain, you will notice there's a good mix of both worlds in what you see or hear.  Yet this village is neither French nor Spanish - it is distinctively Catalan, reflecting its unique history of the Catalonia region that spans both countries. 

 

On the sandy beach by the Notre-Dame-des-Anges, vacationers, some French and some Spanish, were spending a peaceful afternoon.  It is almost hard to believe there were times in the past this village was fought over by both sides of the border.

 

 

Collioure, France IV

 

Click here for an enlarged view of this painting.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches (29 x 39 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold 

 

  Collioure, France V

 

 

Collioure, France V

 

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

Eiffel Tower, Paris II

 

 

You say it's an absolute beauty and one of the first things you must see in Paris?  Rather, you are of the opinion that it's such an eyesore you can't stand it?  There seems to be two kinds of visitors to Paris when it comes to their opinions about the Eiffel Tower.  Whether you take one side over the other (or fall somewhere in between), wouldn't you agree that Paris wouldn't be the same without it?

 

Weighing 10,100 tons, soaring 324 meters tall, it is a massive structure, and I must say that getting an up-close-and-personal look at the 250,000-square-meter surface of the fine iron lattice work is awe-inspiring.

 

"For my part I believe that the Tower will possess its own beauty.  Are we to believe that because one is an engineer, one is not preoccupied by beauty in one's constructions, or that one does not seek to create elegance as well as solidity and durability?  Is it not true that the very conditions which give strength also conform to the hidden rules of harmony? "  -- Gustave Eiffel, designer of the Eiffel Tower

 

 

Eiffel Tower, Paris II

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

 

Click here to see more Paris France paintings.

 

 

 

In about 10 days or so, the cherry blossom trees (sakura) will start blooming in Japan.  A beautiful display of their pale pink flowers is a sure sign of the arrival of spring.  I think, for many Japanese, spring is the best time of the year.

April is also the beginning of a new fiscal and school year in Japan.  It is a chance to make a fresh start for new hopes and goals.  It is a time to look forward to a bright future ahead.  Especially this year, after the recent disasters of epic proportions, I pray that spring will still mean the same for the people of Japan.

 

This painting will be auctioned in Daily Paintworks Help Japan Challenge.  All proceeds will be donated to help survivors and their families in disaster-stricken areas in Japan.  Bidding starts at 1pm (USA CST) on March 19.  For more details, please read here.

 

About the painting:  At the time when Japan's capital was in Kyoto, the Arashiyama area in the western suburb was a favorite spot for the imperial aristocrats.  With lush mountains and a crystal clear river, they would enjoy boating, fishing, and poetry reading while admiring beautiful sceneries.  This spring when the sakura flowers are in full bloom in those mountains, thousands of people will visit there as they have done for centuries.

 

 

Spring in Kyoto, Japan IV 

 

Click here for an enlarged view.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Mat/Frame: No

Purchase: Sold via Daily Paintworks Help Japan Challenge Auction

 

It's time for carnevale in Venice.  This year's festivities have already begun last month and will end on March 8 with a huge party to end all parties.  People walk on the streets, wearing costumes and traditional Venetian masks.  There are extravagant balls, concerts, parades on canals.  This is a big winter celebration, 40 days before Easter, when Venice transforms itself into a mysterious world of elegance and magic.

 

 

Gondolier, Venice, Italy XI

 

Click here for an enlarged view.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 10 x 6 inches (25 x 15 cm)
Mat: Yes (15 x 10 inches; white)

Frame: No

Purchase: Sold 

 

  Venice Reflections X

 

Venice Reflections X

 

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches (29 x 21 cm)

Mat/Frame: No

Purchase: Sold

 

San Bartolomeo is a church tucked away behind the Rialto Bridge.  Some time after its foundation in the 9th century, it became the church of the German trading community that enjoyed an active commerce in this area.  The bell tower was constructed when the church was rebuilt following the 1688 earthquake.  The onion shaped dome with an octagonal drum is visible from the Grand Canal.

 

The traffic on the Grand Canal, Venice's main waterway, is always very busy near the Rialto Bridge, with all kinds of boats going up and down and across the corridor.   But skilled gondoliers would just paddle their gondolas through them all while serenading.

 

 

Gondolier, Venice, Italy X

 

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 21.5 x 7 inches (54.5 x 18 cm)
Mat/Frame: Yes (27 x 12 inches).  Please ask for details.

Purchase: Please send me an email for more information.