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close up of the hand painted pattern
This is the second part of my acrylic on board series. I intend to do 3 paintings of this type. The idea being to create a hand painted pattern that takes on an organic feel but still repeats and maintains its form.

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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.

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Acrylic on board painting of representational patterns painted with a gloss paint and then detailed with mat finish acrylic paints.

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Is the quality of your website design going to win the hearts of potential clients? Is your website going to reach people who think like you? The answer is probably no, if you don’t blog.

We used to judge capability on a good portfolio and nice site design. Of course your portfolio is crucial but what is the best way to show people you think about your work with enthusiasm, are pro-active in your industry and are well resourced and capable? Get active, connect and talk your language. Search engines, social media connections and RSS feeds can help deliver your content to those interested in it. A good blog design with the right setup and an SEO code base can improve your audience and provide potential clients looking for your service with the information they need to make the informed and right choice.

It helps to know a little about search engines, blog SEO and strategic blogging if you are going it alone. I have researched the finer points of blogging and think I have a good way to design blogs effectively When I create a blog design I try get my client up to speed and show them practical ways to effectively promote with their blog and deliver their content efficiently.

Do you have a blog that communicates what you do?

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Cut out leaves and flower with both leaves in the positive and the inverse. Both equally challenging. This is my first try at cut out and I found it a really interesting way to work.

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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.

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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

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I took this work a little further this time and was free with my initial application of paint. To get this effect I used a paper stencil and replicated the leaf pattern in the background. I then added the more solid overlays of patterns and shapes by painting with thicker paint.

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I got down to Elixir cafe for an Osaka design and arts networking event. FLAG Osaka, a free gallery and exhibition listing, had its launch party and there was a nice turnout. The publication features current information about exhibitions around Osaka and some profiles of local artists and events.The good spots are flagged on the map for you to easily find. Pick it up in cafes and galleries around Osaka. I am sure many people interested in Japan design and art will find this useful as it is often hard to find English information about art in Kansai.

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A follow up to my article on cut out art where I talked about sharp edges created by cut paper. This was an attempt to emulate the effect with paint. Of course the edge is not as clean but using a vivi color on white makes for a interesting design. After experimenting with this I used some washed colors in the background. Bright red with subtle blue.

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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.

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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.

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Junji Murata, skateboarding cinematographer, in Osaka is making some fully expressive films about the rarely publicized but rich skateboarding scene in the big O (Osaka). True to the Osaka way of life they say the skate scene there is 80% jokes and 20% truth. Maybe a little exaggeration. Is there some truth in that? He captures it well in his recently released DVD “THA OSAKA VIBE” Another new release is coming soon, I’m told. Junji teaches the finer points of his art and the process on his website and blog. Check it out!

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They used a variety of methods to get movement into the piece. Having to wipe the canvas clean and do it smoothly to match the effect seemed like a challenge.

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