I’m heading to Japan for the month of April to participate in an artist residency at @studiokura . I can’t believe how lucky I am to get the time to immerse myself in the culture of Japan, experience living and working in the countryside, and have the freedom to create in whatever way I want. I’m hoping to be able to slow down, try some new mediums (gouache, collage, wood) and just see where my artistic spirit takes me.
After working as a professional illustrator for the last 17 years it’s going to be a change just making art for the sake of art. No clients. No briefs. No likes. No rules. No expectation for output. As a highly-prolific creative it might even be considered a win to not really even make anything.
With that being said though I am hoping to explore some of the themes I frequently return to, architecture, mascots and characters, nature, signs, and finding joy in everyday objects and moments. We’ll see how this all comes together in a month. Or not. Either way.
I made my postcard cover for my exhibition at @studiokura today along with a couple other drawings. I’m calling it “Never Better” because it really is true. Time is going by way too quickly. I’ve been loving living slowly, letting my imagination wander, painting, sculpting, and just being. The only thing that would make it better is if Kate and my dog were here.
For my mom’s birthday I made her a series of Paris inspired illustrations. She’s the most creative person I know, so it seemed fitting to honor her special day with some very fine art depicting all of our favorite French friends.
I’ve never been to Paris even though she keeps telling me to go. Maybe if I can ever get myself to not automatically book a ticket to Japan every year.
Happy birthday @jamie_ng I hope you had the best day!
Perhaps in my next life I’ll come back as a wonky rock stack or a perfectly trimmed tree in Itoshima. What a life that would be. How does everyone know how to prune their trees so beautifully? Is there a class, or do people just know?
Excited to share this utility box mural project with the @trailblazers ! Catch all the artists’ work around town and mine in SE (locations in post). I spent a lot of time creating a little Portland and SE-inspired world filled with all the weird and wonderful things that call Portland home. I hope they brighten your day if you see them around town.
Itoshima. My time in Itoshima @studiokura was nothing short of profound. Over the course of April I got to see the trees change from pink to green, the fields get planted and harvested, and watched the clouds roll in with the wind. I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be and like this was the perfect beginning of a new chapter for me. I hope I never forget the feeling of being there and continue to let it guide me through life.
Itoshima is a lovely town about an hours train ride from Fukuoka. It sits nestled in a valley along the coast and offers the perfect mix of rural living and modern conveniences. Theres a few restaurants and cafes, supermarkets, and lots of places to explore - including a truly amazing Danish Furniture store (of all things). My next dream is to rent a house here in the future so @katepsyd can experience it too.
Takeo Onsen. When in Kyushu for a month why not visit some towns less traveled? Saga is one of the least visited prefectures in Japan, but it has a lot to offer. I went to Takeo sort of on a whim, looking for a place less than 2 hours from Itoshima by train. I didn’t know what to expect, I knew there’d be an onsen, but that’s about it. I discovered a quaint, sleepy town with some really great surprises.
The old bathhouse buildings were beautiful with the blooming trees and I really enjoyed exploring the quiet old streets and storefronts. I was immensely surprised to find an incredible library, a wonderful cafe, a historic tree and shrine, and eat one of the best meals of my life.
Places like Takeo aren’t usually at the top of people’s travel lists, but of you’ve got the time, and especially if you’re going to Arita, this town is a real treat.
Stay: @ond_hotel
Visit: @takeo_city_library
Sip: @emicafe3
Eat: @cobacini
Shop: @norreport_
Also don’t forget to check out the giant old camphor tree behind Takeo Shrine, eat sushi at Suesada, check out the working artists @artsitoya and spend some time shopping and relaxing at the train station.
A quick little showcase of the work I made in Itoshima at @studiokura - with some process shots as well. All of the work was inspired by my time in Itoshima and various travels throughout Kyushu. Some of it was planned and some of it happened organically, which I think is so beautiful. I’m so pleased with my little collection of paintings and sculptures and hope to continue this body of work when I get home. My plan work in larger scale since I’ll have access to my saws and tools and won’t have to worry so much about transporting logistics.
I’d really like to do an art show with this work, ideally in Portland sometime this year. If anyone has any advice let’s chat!
My sweet KK, happy anniversary! It’s been three wild years of growth, adventure, laughs, love, and working together to make this life of ours worth living. I’m so grateful to have a partner that loves me for me and supports my dreams. You’re the best dog-mom, the smartest, funniest, amazingly creative, and thoughtful silly goose I know. I’m so glad to be yours. Here’s to another three thousand years together.
Last week I took a little side quest to Hiroshima and Kurashiki to visit the Japan Folk Art Toy Museum @gangukan . It was an inspiring trip and surprising to me to see how much I identified with and am artistically influenced by the work in the museum.
It has been hard for me to identify as an artist - the title of designer or illustrator comes much more naturally. I tend to make things that serve a purpose or lean more decorative versus emotional. But after visiting the museum and reflecting it makes sense why the work resonated so strongly with me. I think folk art lives in the intersection of fine art and design, there is craft and thought, but it also doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s meant to be handled, to be enjoyed, and integrate itself into your life, which is how I would classify a lot of the things I create.
I didn’t set out to make any sculptures in this residency, it just sort of happened when I stumbled upon some wood shapes and balsa wood at the hardware store. I’ve found a lot of joy in the process of shaping, building, and painting and now can firmly call myself an artist, a folk artist maybe, but definitely an artist nonetheless. Thank you Japan for teaching me yet another thing about myself.
Nagasaki was a real dream. It might be my new favorite city in Japan. I had a lovely time wandering around the city and met some really friendly people. The architecture and culture here are so unique and the spirit of the city is inspiring considering its history. Thank you so much for the hospitality, I hope to return again.
