Japan is every bit as wonderful as you hope it would be. The people are patient and kind, there is beauty around every corner and the streets are so clean you would be comfortable following the two second rule even in the subway.
Getting the opportunity to live in this amazing country for three years was a dream come true and from the moment I set foot off the plane I knew I had found a source of endless inspiration.
Nagoya was my home for three years and I miss it dearly. This painting titled ‘A Bear’s Eye View’ was the first painting I created in my tiny Japanese studio. The first year I frequently picked an area of the city to explore for the day. I would wander around in awe, taking in all the new sights, smells and sounds, my camera always at the ready to capture every quirky detail.
Over time the strangeness became familiar and Nagoya became home but I would still get excited every time I’d see a kawaii animal on display in an unusual place!
One of the most attractive things about Japan for me as an artist, is the extreme juxtaposition between modern and traditional. There’s just something special about seeing a gorgeous woman in a beautiful kimono walking the streets of an ultra modern metropolis like Tokyo. I would get even more excited if she would be getting a drink from one of the many vending machines or taking a selfie or photo with her ultra modern phone or camera.
Out of all the beautiful cities in Japan, Kyoto is my favorite, there is really no place like it. I loved wandering around its tiny winding streets, away from the hustle and bustle, getting just a little lost until you turn a corner and all of a sudden this gorgeous temple rises up in front of you.
One of my most precious memories of my trips to Kyoto happened when I rounded a corner in the middle of the city and saw a real geisha walking towards me, she was surrounded by a gaggle of salary men in suits who were hanging on her every word.
There is something magical about seeing a real geisha on the streets of Kyoto. Even amidst the sea of gorgeous ladies in yukata and kimono she stands out. It felt like a special and really precious experience and it is a memory that I treasure dearly which is why this painting titled ‘Sakura (桜) is so special to me
Of course a visit to Kyoto is not complete without a visit to the famous bamboo forest. The click clacking of bamboo in the wind is one of the most peaceful sounds in the world. There is something so serene about walking through a bamboo forest, hearing the sounds of rustling leaves and that gentle click clack of the stems bumping into each other. The experience of walking through one of these unusual forests towards a beautiful temple building seemed almost otherworldly.
When I was living in Japan life felt magical, there was always something new and unexpected to discover. A hidden temple in the mountains, beautiful waterfalls, awe inspiring views and places where deer freely wander around without a care in the world.
I miss Japan, since moving away I feel like the magic has left my world, everything feels mundane and boring in comparison.
To bring some of the magic back into my life I have been painting my memories of Japan. By bringing Japan into my studio I feel like some of its magic comes with it and it makes Japan feel just a little bit closer.
ARTIST • EXPAT • TRAVELER
“I hate saying goodbye but I did it anyway. 🥲 Fueled by farewells, I paint places I miss so I can hold on to them forever”
