web designer, blog developer and artist in japan

Living and working as a designer and artist in Kyoto provides me with a unique subject matter, insights into Japan design and a fresh supply of new inspiration to draw on.

I specialize in custom blogs, creating functional websites and building online identity. I do most of my design work for individuals and business in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo.

Though as well as websites and online subjects I also paint and enjoy the arts. I am drawn to the detail of Japanese design, patterns, traditional color use and its application in mediums such as clothing, interiors, industrial objects and the everyday. Read more about it in the art and design blog below.

For the 8th time running but my first time to attend. Public space? How about private space? Art Osaka 2010 is held in the top 4 floors of the Dojima Hotel. Utilizing space to a new level of originality. Each of the rooms on the hotel, given to the creative devices of the Galleries, made for a completely unique space for showing art. Navigating each of the transformed room and finding each new take on the display of art was an intriguing experience.

If you missed it, you will know for next time, if you check out FLAG Osaka art guide.

Bride and Wolfe has just launched a new blog full of amazing design inspiration and ideas. Along with the custom blog updates I have added a new home page design that is to celebrate Miranda’s new range of designs. Just a sneak peak of what is on offer on the blog….

Check out these drawings etched into beach landscapes.

The Kyoto Art Center is holding an artists exchange exhibition featuring the work of 3 Japanese and 3 Korean artists. Point is only exhibiting until January 24th. A little late on the heads up but perhaps if you have time check it out. The purpose of the exhibition being to improve relations between artists and critics between the two countries. Talks were held on the opening day between, critics, artist and the curators. Pretty informative and a really interesting look at Korean art styles I had not seen before.

The artist mentioned they had intended to do more in the process and creative side of the contemporary artists exchange. The end result seemed like an exhibition of comparison rather than a process of interaction. Though doing things internationally is tough. Funding, transport and communication provide the biggest barriers. I found the process and their explanations really informative. Though I want to ask the question; How does an exhibition of a group of artists working to a theme become an exchange in process rather than an exchange in ideas post creation. Ideas are important but the process of how an artist works and how they concept the work is perhaps more interesting for the artist and result would differ greater. For example providing a workshop and an exchange of techniques, making use of each others creative spaces and learning where inspiration comes from. Artist in residency is an attempt at this, but always seems a little like bringing skills to an environment rather than exchanging skills through mediums. The approach taken here was to allow artists to network with curators extensively beforehand.

I think a unique process was best achieved in a collaboration between classic musicians and artists. Musicians were asked to interpret pieces done by contemporary artists. The performance at the opening was the 88th of such. Though it was hard for me to reference it back to the contemporary art. Partly because of language but also because the artwork was not on display. The artist gave a talk about it though.

Kyoto Art Center is a great contemporary art space and worth checking out. Reformed from an old school, the original timber, fittings and feel still exist.

T shirt design trails and experimentation
Design started for a series of T-shirts in the planning. I have not done much work in fashion but quickly I am learning some lessons in design composition. People all have an individual taste and trying to design for everyone is impossible. I myself like plain colors and minimal designs on my T-shirts. Either that or a fine pattern that can go with various clothes. This is contrast with most of the art I produce. The first mistake I made was to design for shirts in a random way. Organic forms rather that geometric or balanced shapes. It was very difficult to do. Bringing balance to an organic form. Balance being so important in design but particularly when used with the form of the body. Still I am working on this.

The other was to realize that, what I like may not be what is popular or wearable by others. I found my T-shirt designs at first looked good small on the screen but scaled and printed appeared dull and less attractive. So I find the challenge I am faced with now is making the design interesting without being over the top. Keeping it minimal so it goes with a variety of clothes but amplifying detail to catch the eye. One thing I think that works is if you go fine, reduce the colors but if you go simple, increase the size and color palette. I will be working more to perfect some T-shirt designs and will post more soon.

I can walk to this place. The Hosomi Museum features no permanent exhibitions but interchanging features concentrated around the traditional Japanese arts. I saw a rinpa show with some stand out works from the edo period in Japan.

On entrance you get a sticker with the day written on it as proof of entry. No ticket stub or anything like that. I quite liked the idea. The attention to detail amazes here.

Starting from the 28th of December is an exhibition of Japanese patterns that I am looking forward to seeing. Pattern work is increasingly on my mind and I love the detail and way it is used in Japan design. Check out the website for more details: Hosomi Museum

in my studio – photo for the magazine
I was recently interviewed by Japanzine about my work in Japan and will be featured in the up and coming October issue. Japanzine is a freely available publication with quality content for the foreign community in Japan. It is nation wide and covers many cultural interests. It’s a nice read and I was really happy with the job they did. You can check out the interview on the website.

super scale neon installation at cosa 倉重光則
Contemporary Art Space Osaka or CASO as it is known is one of Japan’s largest art spaces. A restored warehouse building with masses of space and high ceilings, the gallery provides the perfect place for large scale paintings and installation. Definitely worth the train ride out to Osaka harbor. There are currently two exhibitions on show. One is by a collective of local artists. I spoke with Arimichi Iwasawa, one of the artists about their approach. He said they approach painting in a different way. Usually group exhibitions are collaborated after the work has been produced. He said they have a systematic approach where by a space is chosen and the artists plan their work as a group.

close up of a chinese paper cut out
On my recent trip to China I found a lot of paper cut out art. It’s vivid contrasting color against a white background and sharp lines make for a strong image. The technique is really really old and dates back to the origins of paper in the 6th century. Although originating in China, many cultures have a form of their own. The Polish Wycinanki style is particularly interesting. In japan they call it kirie (切り絵細工).

a painting I am working on
I decided to experiment with paint and see if I could replicate the contrast of the paper cutout. The use of a vivid color on white works well but there is no way such a sharp line can be produced as we see in the paper cutouts.

I noticed in kimono design, patterns and most of the design that extends from tradition styles, have similarities. Clean lines and defined shapes used in great contrast. Even some fabric dyeing techniques use paper cut out stencils as the relief. Similarities in style can be seen in this kimono pattern making technique.

hand painted kyo-yuzen steps of fabric dyeing
1. pattern drawing with ink and brush
2. lines are cleaned up using a paste to create a fine line
3. colors are painted in by hand
4. colored areas are masked using a paste
5. the background is dyed leaving the masked areas untouched
6. the fabric is washed and then steam smoothed

The result is a high contrast, very vivid and detailed image. No wonder these are expensive items to buy. It is just my observation, but could it have some influences from the paper cutout? If you are interested in paper cut out and a more modern interpretation check out Bob san’s super paper cutting video on youtube. I was lucky enough to talk to him about his work. He told me he loves the crisp lines you can get with a blade and paper. There is certainly nobody doing anything like this guy with paper. He doesn’t sketch ideas first. Straight from the mind and all done freestyle with the blade.

nobori advertising banners flying high
I have to design some nobori soon so I was doing some research. I realized it is a pretty unique advertising format. A long banner usually made from cotton or a synthetic material displayed at the front of businesses. The long format is ideal for kanji writing because of course, the traditional way to write kanji runs from top to bottom and right to left.

Originally nobori were used as a battlefield marker in feudal Japan. Bright colors and shear numbers of nobori were used as intimidation. Now it has been adopted an advertising medium on the streets of Japan.

a nice design using the length of the nobori to good effect

a kyoto restaurant shop front
In Kyoto this advertising format seems to be popular. Because Kyoto’s heritage has been preserved and it is one of few remaining places you can see traditional buildings in Japan, Kyoto has some strict guidelines in place about advertising on buildings. No bright signs, flashing lights or huge billboards crowd the streets. Sometimes it is hard to even notice a business is open. Nobori can be used to good effect in Kyoto. I will post some more examples of nobori I design soon.

The black and white contrast and complex shapes in this noren grabbed my attention. I am lucky to live in Kyoto with a rich source of inspiration so close by. There is always balance in the designs used in temples in Japan. If a noren is displayed it means the place is open. They are used in many colors, varieties and functions from the amazing temple gates to the local izakaya doorway.