I have always loved Japanese art – the beautiful line – the variety of patterns – the interesting compositions. In 2008, I did a series from mostly black and white images of old Japanese prints. I drew them out with charcoal on canvas and added color. The “Seated Figure” is one of two images I used that had some color – the other is “Lady with Fan”. The others’ color comes from me. There is one, “Bathers with View of Mt. Fuji”, that is totally my creation from conception to finish, and is the only one in the series where only my name is signed on the painting – the others have the Japanese artist name and date. Kimiko, my long-time friend in Tokyo, sent me examples of how to sign my name with Japanese characters horizontally, vertically, and in a box.
